Appendicular skeleton
| Appendicular skeleton | |
|---|---|
 Human appendicular skeleton | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | skeleton appendiculare |
| TA | A02.0.00.010 |
| FMA | 71222 |
The appendicular skeleton is the portion of the skeleton of vertebrates consisting of the bones or cartilage that support the appendages. Appendages appeared as fins in early fish, and subsequently evolved into the limbs of tetrapods. The appendicular skeleton includes the skeletal elements within the limbs, as well as supporting pectoral and pelvic girdles in the case of tetrapods (these are lacking in fish).[1] The word appendicular is the adjective of the noun appendage, which itself means a part that is joined to something larger.
Human structure
Of the 206 bones in the human skeleton, the appendicular skeleton comprises 126. Functionally it is involved in locomotion (lower limbs) of the axial skeleton and manipulation of objects in the environment (upper limbs).
The appendicular skeleton forms during development from cartilage, by the process of endochondral ossification.
The appendicular skeleton is divided into six major regions:
- Pectoral girdles (4 bones) - Left and right clavicle (2) and scapula (2).
- Arms and forearms (6 bones) - Left and right humerus (2) (arm), ulna (2) and radius (2) (forearm).
- Hands (54 bones) - Left and right carpals (16) (wrist), metacarpals (10), proximal phalanges (10), intermediate phalanges (8) and distal phalanges (10).
- Pelvis (2 bones) - Left and right hip bone (2).
- Thighs and legs (8 bones) - Left and right femur (2) (thigh), patella (2) (knee), tibia (2) and fibula (2) (leg).
- Feet and ankles (52 bones) - Left and right tarsals (14) (ankle), metatarsals (10), proximal phalanges (10), intermediate phalanges (8) and distal phalanges (10).
It is important to realize that through anatomical variation it is common for the skeleton to have many extra bones (sutural bones in the skull, cervical ribs, lumbar ribs and even extra lumbar vertebrae).
The appendicular skeleton of 126 bones and the axial skeleton of 80 bones together form the complete skeleton of 206 bones in the human body. Unlike the axial skeleton, the appendicular skeleton is unfused. This allows for a much greater range of motion.[2]
Additional images
-
Appendicular skeleton (shown in red).
-
Illustration depicting anterior and posterior view of appendicular skeleton
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Appendicular skeleton. |