Editing Human skeleton (section)

{{short description|Internal framework of the human body}}
{{redirect|Bone structure|skeletal systems of other animals|Skeleton|the scientific study of bones|Osteology}}
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{{Infobox anatomy
|Name = Human skeleton
|Greek = σκελετός
|Image = File:Human-Skeleton.jpg
|Caption = A human skeleton on exhibit at the [[Museum of Osteology]], [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]
|Width = 100px
}}

The '''human skeleton''' is the internal framework of the [[human body]]. It is composed of around 270 [[bone]]s at birth – this total decreases to around 206 bones by adulthood after some bones get fused together.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mammal anatomy : an illustrated guide.|date=2010|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|location=New York|isbn=9780761478829|page=129|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mTPI_d9fyLAC&pg=PA129}}</ref> The bone mass in the skeleton makes up about 14% of the total body weight (ca. 10–11&nbsp;kg for an average person) and reaches maximum mass between the ages of 25 and 30.<ref>{{cite web |title=Healthy Bones at Every Age |url=https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/healthy-bones-at-every-age/ |website=OrthoInfo |publisher=American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118205631/https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/healthy-bones-at-every-age/ |archive-date=18 November 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> The human skeleton can be divided into the [[axial skeleton]] and the [[appendicular skeleton]]. The axial skeleton is formed by the [[human vertebral column|vertebral column]], the [[human rib cage|rib cage]], the [[human skull|skull]]  and other associated bones. The appendicular skeleton, which is attached to the axial skeleton, is formed by the [[shoulder girdle]], the [[pelvic girdle]] and the bones of the upper and lower limbs.

The human skeleton performs six major functions: support, movement, protection, production of [[blood cells]], storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation.

The human skeleton is not as [[sexually dimorphic]] as that of many other primate species, but subtle differences between sexes in the [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]] of the skull, [[dentition]], [[long bone]]s, and pelvis exist. In general, female skeletal elements tend to be smaller and less robust than corresponding male elements within a given population. The human [[female pelvis]] is also different from that of males in order to facilitate [[childbirth]].<ref>''Thieme Atlas of Anatomy'', (2006), p 113</ref> Unlike most primates, human males do not have [[penile bone]]s.<ref name="patterns">''Patterns of Sexual Behavior''  Clellan S. Ford and Frank A. Beach, published by Harper & Row, New York in 1951. {{ISBN|0-313-22355-6}}</ref>