Basic Human Anatomy

4-14. THE APPENDICULAR SKELETON

4-14. THE APPENDICULAR SKELETON

a. The appendicular skeleton is made up of the skeletal elements of the upper and lower members (often incorrectly referred to as the "extremities"). These members are appended (attached) to the axial skeleton.

b. The general pattern of construction of the upper and lower members is the same as follows:

(1) Girdle. The girdle is the actual attaching part. It attaches (appends) the limb (the member less the girdle) to the axial skeleton.

(2) Proximal limb segment. The proximal segment of the limb has a single long bone.

(3) Middle limb segment. The middle segment of the limb has two long bones parallel with each other.

(4) Distal limb segment. The distal segment of the limb is made up of many long and short bones. These bones are arranged into a five-rayed pattern--the digits.

c. See table 4-2 for the main bones of the upper and lower members.

PART	UPPER MEMBER	LOWER MEMBER
GIRDLE	PECTORAL GIRDLE (CLAVICLE AND SCAPULA)	PELVIC GIRDLE(PELVIC BONE--A FUSION OF ILIUM, PUBIS, AND ISCHIUM)
PROXIMAL SEGMENT	HUMERUS	FEMUR
MIDDLE SEGMENT	RADIUS ULNA	TIBIA FIBULA
DISTAL SEGMENT	CARPUS (8 WRIST BONES) METACARPALS (5) PHALANGES (5 DIGITS)	TARSUS (7 ANKLE BONES) METATARSALS (5) PHALANGES (5 DIGITS)

Table 4-2. Bones of the upper and lower members.

Figures 4-7 through 4-13 give the main characteristics and details of the bones of the appendicular skeleton.

Figure 4-7. A general pattern of the upper and lower members.
Figure 4-8. The human scapula and clavicle (pectoral girdle).
Figure 4-9. The humerus, radius, and ulna.
Figure 4-10. The human hand.
Figure 4-11. The bony pelvis (two pelvic bones and sacrum).
Figure 4-12. The femur, tibia, and fibula (anterior views)
Figure 4-13. The human foot.

Primary Content Providers: The U. S. Army, The U.S. Navy
Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services