How many federal courts of appeal are there?

The federal court system in the United States is composed of 13 Courts of Appeals, which are also known as Circuit Courts. These Courts of Appeals serve as the intermediate appellate courts in the federal system. They review decisions made by federal district courts and some federal agencies. The 11 numbered circuits cover specific geographic regions, while there are also two additional appellate courts: the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has nationwide jurisdiction over specific types of cases, and the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Collectively, these result in a total of 13 distinct appellate courts within the federal framework. This is crucial for ensuring a system of checks and balances, as they have the authority to interpret federal law and ensure uniform application across the districts.