What Makes Up the Appendicular Skeleton?

The appendicular skeleton is comprised of the bones in the pectoral and pelvic girdles, as well as the bones found in the arms and legs, all of which are attached to the axial skeleton which consists of the spine, sternum, ribs and the skull.

Mobility

• The appendicular skeleton, pertaining to the limbs, gives the body its mobility.

Pectoral Girdle

• The pectoral girdle attaches the upper limbs to the body, and includes the collar bone, or clavicle, and the shoulder blades, or scapula.

Pelvic Girdle

• The pelvic girdle attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton by the coxal bones, a fusion of the ilium, ischium and pubis bones.

Arm Bones

• The bones that comprise the arms include the humerus (upper arm), and the radius and ulna (forearm). The bones that are found in the hand include the carpals (wrist bones), metacarpals (palm bones) and the phalanges (finger bones).

Leg Bones

• The bones that comprise the legs include the femur (upper leg), the patella (knee joint), and the tibia and fibula (lower leg). The bones that are found in the foot include the tarsal bones (calcaneus, talus, cuboid, navicular, and the lateral and intermediate cuneiforms), the metatarsals and the phalanges.