Which portion of the skeletal system consists of the skull, rib cage, and vertebral column?

• A. Axial skeleton
• B. Appendicular skeleton
• C. Splanchnic skeleton
• D. Orbital skeleton

Answer: (A)

In the skeletal system, the axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body, and it includes the skull, the vertebral column, and the rib cage. This arrangement is the main support and protection system for vital structures: the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs, while also giving the body its upright framework. The appendicular skeleton, by contrast, comprises the limbs and their girdles, and is geared toward movement and interaction with the environment. Other terms mentioned don’t describe this central grouping and aren’t used to label the major central framework of the skeleton. So the structures listed belong to the axial skeleton.