Bones of the limbs and limb girdles that are attached to the axial skeleton are collectively known as what?

• A. Appendicular skeleton
• B. Axial skeleton
• C. Cranial skeleton
• D. Vertebral skeleton

Answer: (A)

Think of the skeleton as two main regions: the axis and everything that moves with the limbs. The bones of the limbs plus their girdles are grouped as the appendicular skeleton. This includes the arm and leg bones, plus the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapula) and the pelvic girdle (hip bones) that attach the limbs to the body. The axial skeleton—the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage—forms the central framework. Terms like cranial skeleton or vertebral skeleton aren’t standard labels for this limb-and-girdle collection, so the correct term for this part of the skeleton is the appendicular skeleton.