Appendicular Skeleton

There are other bones that form the appendicular skeleton which consists of the pectoral girdle, the bones of the limbs and the pelvic girdle.The pectoral girdle provides a connection between the axial skeleton and the forelimbs that is the arm. It is composed of two distinct halves. Each half consists if the scapula and the clavicle. The scapula or shoulder blade is a flat, triangular-shape bone.

The forelimb is made up of the humerus, radius and ulna, carpals, metacarpals and the phalanges. The humerus is the bone of the upper arm. Its upper end is shaped into a rounded head which articulates with the scapula to form a ball-and-socket joint at the shoulder, allowing movement in all directions. The forearm is composed of the ulna and the radius. The ulna is the longer bone and articulates with the humerus whereas the radius is a flattened, slightly curved bone.

The pelvic girdle provides a connection between the axial skeleton and the hind limbs that is the legs. The hind limb consists of several bones, such as the femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges. The femur is the largest bone in the human body. Its lower end articulates with the tibia to form a hinge joint at the knee. The fibula is a shorter and smaller bone. Both the tibia and fibula form joints with the tarsus at the ankle.