The total number of bones in the human skeleton are 206.

The human skeleton is made up of bones, which provide structure, support, and protection to the body. These bones also allow for movement and serve as a storehouse for minerals like calcium and phosphorus. The human skeleton is divided into two main parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

The Axial Skeleton:
The axial skeleton includes the bones that form the central axis of the body. It consists of the skull, vertebral column, and ribcage. Let's take a closer look at each of these components:

1. Skull:
The skull is made up of 22 bones, including the cranial bones that protect the brain and the facial bones that give our face its shape.

2. Vertebral Column:
The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.

3. Ribcage:
The ribcage consists of 12 pairs of ribs, which are attached to the thoracic vertebrae at the back and the sternum (breastbone) at the front. The ribcage protects the vital organs in the thoracic cavity, such as the heart and lungs.

The Appendicular Skeleton:
The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and the girdles that attach these limbs to the axial skeleton. It consists of the upper limbs (arms), lower limbs (legs), and the pectoral and pelvic girdles.

1. Upper Limbs:
Each upper limb consists of 30 bones, including the humerus (upper arm bone), radius and ulna (forearm bones), carpals (wrist bones), metacarpals (palm bones), and phalanges (finger bones).

2. Lower Limbs:
Each lower limb consists of 30 bones, including the femur (thigh bone), tibia and fibula (leg bones), tarsals (ankle bones), metatarsals (foot bones), and phalanges (toe bones).

3. Pectoral and Pelvic Girdles:
The pectoral girdle, also known as the shoulder girdle, consists of the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade) bones. The pelvic girdle consists of the hip bones, which are fused to the sacrum of the vertebral column.

Total number of bones:
Adding up the number of bones in the axial and appendicular skeletons, we get a total of 206 bones in the human skeleton. It is important to note that the number of bones can vary slightly from person to person, as some bones may fuse together during growth and development.