The skeleton of the cat consists of 230 to 247 bones exclusive of the
sesamoid bones (44) and the chevron bones (8). These are divided as
follows: head 35-40, vertebral column 52-53, ribs 26, sternum 1-8,
pelvis 2-8, upper extremities 62, lower extremities 54-56. The number of
bones varies with the age of the individual, being fewer in the old than
in the young animal, owing to the fact that in an old animal some bones
that were originally separate have united.