The adult human body has 206 bones. However, the number of bones in the human body can vary slightly from person to person, mainly due to the presence of tiny sesamoid bones (small, round bones) near some joints, like the kneecaps (patellae) and the base of the big toe. These sesamoid bones aren’t counted in the standard 206 because not everyone has them, and their number can differ.
Babies are born with around 270 bones, but as they grow, some of these bones gradually fuse together. By the time a person reaches adulthood, the number of bones typically reduces to 206 due to these fusions. The human skeletal system provides structure, support, and protection for various body organs and systems, as well as enabling movement.