The appendicular skeleton is a major division of the human skeletal system, consisting of 126 bones that facilitate movement and interaction with the environment. It includes the bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as the girdles that attach these limbs to the axial skeleton. The appendicular skeleton is composed of the bones of the upper limbs (which function to grasp and manipulate objects) and the lower limbs (which permit locomotion). It also includes the pectoral girdle, or shoulder girdle, that attaches the upper limbs to the body, and the pelvic girdle that attaches the lower limbs to the body (Figure 1). Learn about the bones of the shoulder girdle, upper limbs, pelvis, and lower limbs that form the appendicular skeleton. See 3D models, mnemonics, and adaptations of the female and male pelvis. The appendicular skeleton is the portion of the bony skeleton that includes and supports the limbs (the appendages). It includes the pectoral girdle and the bony pelvis, connected to the axial skeleton centrally and is composed of 126 bones in total.
