skeleton

the rigid, supporting framework of the body that protects organs and tissues, provides muscle attachments, facilitates movement, and produces red blood cell ( ERYTHROCYTES ). There are 206 BONES , divided into the axial skeleton (head and trunk) and the appendicular skeleton (limbs). The types of bone are: long (e.g. HUMERUS ), short (e.g. carpals, see CARPUS ), flat (parts of the CRANIUM ) and irregular (e.g. the VERTEBRAE ).