What is a full set of bones called?

A full set of bones is called a skeleton. In humans, the skeleton forms the body’s internal framework, supporting soft tissues, protecting organs, and providing attachment points for muscles.

The adult human skeleton is commonly said to contain 206 bones. Those bones are divided into the axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum, and the appendicular skeleton, which includes the limbs and the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

The number is not identical at every stage of life. Babies are born with roughly 270 bones, but some fuse during childhood and adolescence. The adult total can also vary slightly because of accessory bones, extra small bones near skull sutures, or differences in how fused structures such as the sacrum and coccyx are counted.

A skeleton is more than a rigid frame. Bone marrow produces blood cells, bones store minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, and the skeleton works with muscles and joints to create movement. The largest bone is the femur, while the smallest is the stapes in the middle ear.