What comprises the appendicular skeleton?

• A. The skull and vertebral column.
• B. The bones of the legs, arms, hands and feet.
• C. The ribs and sternum.
• D. The pelvis and spine.

Answer: (B)

The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the limbs (arms and legs) and the girdles that attach them to the central skeleton. The major pieces are the bones of the arms, forearms, hands, legs, thighs, and feet, along with the shoulder girdle (clavicle and scapula) and pelvic girdle. This makes the option listing the bones of the legs, arms, hands, and feet the best match, because it directly names the primary components of the appendicular skeleton. The other options describe parts of the axial skeleton (skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum) or mix elements that belong to both regions, which isn’t correct for defining the appendicular skeleton.