Bones are one of the most prominent members of the skeletal system within the human body, and the skeleton represents about 20% of the total body weight. The composition of the skeleton differs between males and females, so let us explain to you in the following article the number of bones in the human body and the most prominent secrets and information about the bones of the body, their composition and functions Follow us.

Definition of bones and skeleton

Bones are part of the skeletal system within the human body. This system is considered a supporting structure, as it is the central framework of the body, as it forms the body and gives it the external shape, as it is what allows the body to move, and protects the internal organs such as the heart, lungs and brain. Bones differ in terms of mass between men and women, and the bone structure of the female is wider in order to allow her to carry and give birth.

How many bones in the human body?

The skeleton of the adult human body consists of 206 bones. This structure includes:

• Skull and jaw bones.
• The spine and its vertebrae.
• Ribs and breastbone.
• The legs are complete, including the hip bones and the feet.
• The arms are complete, including the shoulder bones and hands.

These bones work with muscles and joints to hold the body together and help it move freely.

bone structure

Bones take different shapes and sizes from each other, and it is a connective tissue reinforced with specialized bone cells and calcium as well.

bone tissue

As for bone tissue, it consists of different layers, and its composition is as follows:

• periosteum layer, It is considered the outer shell of bone tissue and is characterized by hardness and density. It contains nerves and blood vessels.
• compressed tissue layerThis layer includes dense and compact tissue. This layer is hard and smooth. It protects the tissues inside.
• spongy layer, This layer consists of a porous material similar in shape to a beehive. Mostly this layer is found inside most of the bones of the body, which makes the bones strong and at the same time light in weight.
• bone marrow layer, This layer is a gelatinous substance found in the cavities of some bones of the body, and it produces blood cells.

Bone Marrow

The bone marrow contains stem cells, and it is the place that produces and forms blood cells. These cells are divided into three types, namely:

• Red blood cells, These cells function is to carry oxygen to different parts of the body.
• White blood cells, They are the cells that make up the immune system in the human body.
• Platelets, Its function is to coagulate and stop bleeding.

bone cells

Usually, the body reshapes and builds the skeleton, by building and breaking bone tissue according to its needs, where bones are built from scratch almost every decade, and among the most famous bone cells that participate in this process:

• osteoblast cells, They are the cells responsible for building bone tissue.
• bone cells, They are the cells responsible for maintaining bone tissue, by controlling the mineral content of these tissues, especially calcium.
• osteoclast cells, They are the cells responsible for breaking down the old tissues of the bones.

Types of bones in the human body

The bones of the human body are divided into four types:

• long bones, They are long and thin, and the most famous examples of this type of bone are the bones of the legs and arms, but with the exception of the knee, wrist and ankle bones, these bones are the basis for the movement of the body with the help of muscles.
• short bones, They are cubic in shape and have the same length, width and thickness as the bones of the ankles and wrists.
• flat bones, These bones have a broad, flattened surface, like the shoulder bones, ribs, breastbone, and skull.
• irregular bones, The shape of these bones is different from the previous three types. One of the most famous examples of these types of bones is the spine.

Bones and their functions

The primary function of bones is to provide support for the body as a whole, just as the spine supports the head and torso, and the legs and feet support the weight of the upper body when standing.

In addition to other functions, including:

• Ensuring protection for the internal organs of the body from any injury, just as the bones of the skull protect the brain, and the rib cage protects the heart and lungs.
• Supporting body movement. In the skeletal system, tendons connect muscles and bones. This delicate system allows the body to move easily and freely.
• Formation and production of blood cells. The soft bone marrow, which is inside a large number of bones in the body, produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
• The bones store the body’s minerals and nutrients, especially calcium and phosphorous, and this process is very important for the body’s functions. The body can also obtain fatty tissue from the bone marrow, which is used as energy for the body.

bone diseases

There are a group of diseases and health problems that affect the bones of the body, including:

How to maintain bone health?

There are some ways that help protect the skeletal system as a whole, including:

• Get adequate doses of vitamin D and calcium in your daily diet, in order to maintain bone health and strength.
• Drink plenty of water during the day, to help protect tissues and maintain their health.
• Do regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy body weight, in order to avoid any excess pressure on the bone and cartilage.
• Keep wearing special fitting clothes while playing some sports to protect your body from rubbing and injury.
• Pay close attention when going up and down stairs to avoid any sudden fall.