How many bones make up the axial skeleton?

There are 80 bones that make up the human axial skeleton, according to the National Cancer Institute. The axial skeleton consists of the head, neck and trunk of an individual.

The bones of the axial skeleton are the skull bones, sternum, rib cage, vertebral column, hyoid bone and the bones of the middle ear's ossicles. The axial skeleton connects the body with the pelvis and, combined with the appendicular skeleton, creates the entire human skeleton. With the exception of the skull, the bones in the axial skeleton weaken with age. The skull bones remain strong to protect the cranial cavity.