How many bones are in the human body?

The human body typically has 206 bones in adulthood. This number is a result of the fusion of certain bones that occurs during growth and development. Infants are born with approximately 270 bones, many of which fuse together to form the 206 bones found in adults. The skeleton is categorized into two main parts: the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, and the appendicular skeleton, which comprises the limbs and pelvic girdle. The accurate knowledge of bone count is crucial in areas such as anatomy and physical therapy, where understanding the structure and function of the body is fundamental to supporting movement and preventing injury.