The appendicular skeleton

 
 
 
 
The appendicular skeleton consists of the pectoral girdle, upper limbs, pelvic girdle, and lower limbs (Appendicular-learntech, 2004; Skeletal, 2004). It comprises 126 bones, four in the pectoral girdle: the scapula (2) and the clavicles (2); 60 in the upper limbs: humerus (2), radius (2), ulna (2), carpals (16), metacarpals (10), and phalanges (28); two in the pelvic girdle (os coxae), femur (2), tibia (2), fibula (2), patella (2), tarsals (14), metatarsals (10), and phalanges (28).

The major function of the pectoral girdle is flexibility, and the major function of the pelvic girdle is stability. Functional differences between the two pairs of limbs in humans is reflected in their structure and in their attachment to the appendicular skeleton (Appendicular Skeleton-predator, 2004). In humans, the arms are not needed for locomotion, and so are freed for manipulating tools and the environment. This can be seen clearly by looking at the bones which comprise the two girdles, and how much motion they allow in the attached limbs. The bones of the pectoral girdle are separate, and relatively lighter in w


     
 
 
 
    

 

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