Human Body Bones: Quick Facts

The two main purposes of our skeleton, or bones, are to provide structure and protection. Without bones, we would not be able to stand up or move. Some organs found within the body would be left unprotected without bones, including our heart and lungs.

Quantity

• When a baby is born, he has over 300 bones in his tiny body. However, as humans grow, some of these bones merge together. As an adult, we have 206 bones in our body.

Length

• The length of your femur is about one quarter of your height, making it the longest bone in your body. The smallest bone in the body is called the stirrup bone, found in the ear, which can measure just one tenth of an inch long.

Strength

• The jawbone is the hardest bone in your body, but your thigh bone is stronger than concrete.

Skull, Hands and Facial Bones

• The skull consists of 29 bones. One of your hands has 27 bones, and just 14 bones make up your facial structure.

Red Blood Cells

• Within your bones is bone marrow. Inside the bone marrow is where red blood cells are formed.