Skeletal System Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Human Skeleton
  • Name: Skeletal System
  • Location: Throughout the body
  • System: Skeletal System
  • Purpose: Support the body, movement, protection and produce blood cells
  • Count: 206 bones (adult), 270 bones (newborn)
  • Volume: Between 12 and 15% of body weight

18 Skeletal System Facts for Kids

  1. The skeletal system, also known as the human skeleton, is the framework of the human body.
  2. The skeletal system is made up of about 270 bones at birth and decreases to about 206 bones as you reach adulthood.
  3. More than half of the bones in the human skeleton are in the hands and feet.
  4. The skeletal system is responsible for six functions in the human body and they are endocrine regulation, movement, production of blood cells, protection, storage of minerals and support.
  5. The human skeleton provides support to the body and helps maintain its shape.
  6. The human skeleton has joints that allow movement in your arms, legs and other appendages.
  7. The human skeleton protects vital organs, like your brain, heart and lungs.
  8. The human skeleton produces red blood cells.
  9. The human skeleton stores different minerals that your body uses, like calcium and iron.
  10. The human skeleton can release a hormone called osteocalcin and helps regulate glucose (blood sugar).
  11. There are two different types of bones in the human skeletal system, cortical bones and trabecular bones.
  12. The human skeleton is divided into two different sections, the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.
  13. The axial skeleton is made up of 80 bones in your head, chest and back.
  14. The appendicular skeleton is made up of 126 bones in your legs, arms, hands and feet.
  15. The largest bone in the human skeletal system is the thigh bone, also known as the femur.
  16. The smallest bone in the human skeletal system is the stapes, also known as the stirrup.
  17. All the bones in the human skeletal system are connected to another bone, except for one, the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone is located at the base of your tongue and connected only by ligaments and muscles.
  18. The study of human skeletal system is orthopedics.

Additional Resources on the Human Skeletal System

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