APPENDICULAR SKELETON

Pectoral/Shoulder Girdles

• Consists of the clavicle and scapula • The pectoral girdles and their

associated muscles = your shoulders

• Attach the upper limbs to the axial skeleton

• Are light and allow the upper limbs to have a degree of mobility not seen anywhere else in the body

Lots of mobility because…1. Only the clavicle attaches to the

axial skeleton (scapula can move freely allowing the arm to move with it)

2. Socket of the shoulder joint is shallow and not very reinforced --- good for flexibility but poor for support (shoulder dislocations are common)

Clavicles (collarbones) - provides attachment points and act as a

brace (holding the arms out laterally), not strong

Scapulae (shoulder blades)

The Shoulders

The Arms

• Humerus (upper arm)• Ulna

(lower arm/forearm)

• Radius (lower arm/forearm)

HANDS

Phalanges (digits)

Metacarpals (palm)

Carpals (wrists)

The Pelvic (Hip) Girdle

• Attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton

• Transmits the weight of the upper body to the lower limbs

• Secured to the axial skeleton by some of the strongest ligaments in the body (not as much flexibility as shoulder girldle but more stability)

Hip Girdle

Hipbone (coxal bone)SacrumCoccyx

Sacroiliac JointInterpubic Joint

The LegFemur (thigh bone) - largest, longest, and

strongest bone of the body

Patella (knee)Tibia (Shin bone)Fibula

Divided into three regions: the ilium, ischium, and pubis- separate as a child, fuse in adults

• The male pelvis is heart-shaped and narrow

• The female pelvis is much wider and flatter, with a larger central cavity

The Foot

Tarsals (ankle)

Metatarsals (instep)

Phalanges (digits/toes)