What Is the Appendicular Skeleton?
The appendicular skeleton is the portion of the skeleton that includes the limbs, the pelvis, and the pectoral girdle. For adult humans, this includes approximately 126 of the roughly 206 bones that make up the skeleton. Its counterpart, the axial skeleton, is comprised of the skull, the spinal column, the sternum and the ribs. The primary function of the appendicular skeleton is locomotion and support, whereas the primary function of the axial skeleton is protection of internal organs. In general, all bones of the human skeleton also assist in mineral storage and blood cell production.
