The appendicular skeleton It is one of the two main groups of bones in the human body. It is made up of the bones of the upper and lower limbs, including the so-called "shoulder girdle" (where the shoulders are) and the pelvic "waist" (where the hip is)..
The human skeleton can be considered divided into two large groups of bones: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. Between both skeletons it is said that the human body has a total of 206 bones, of which 126 belong only to the appendicular skeleton.
While the axial skeleton is made up of the bones of the head, trunk and vertebrae, the appendicular skeleton consists mainly of the bones that make up the extremities or limbs (upper and lower) and the bones that connect those extremities with the rest. skeleton.
The axial skeleton exercises fundamentally protective functions, since it is the one that covers the cavities where the vital organs of the human body are found, such as the brain and spinal cord, the heart, the lungs, the stomach, the intestines, the kidneys and others..
The appendicular skeleton, on the other hand, has motor and locomotive functions, although it is nonetheless equally important. This portion of the human skeleton works in function of various aspects of the daily life of human beings, such as moving and holding objects, for example.
Both groups of bones or both skeletons are closely associated with each other, which occurs through special joints between the bones of the scapular and pelvic girdles and two other important bones of the axial skeleton, such as the sternum and the sacrum (al end of column).
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The appendicular skeleton, as part of the human skeleton, fulfills important functions of support, movement, storage of minerals and production of blood cells, among others.
In addition, like many others, the bones of the appendicular skeleton are the main muscle attachment sites, thanks to which the body can perform different kinds of movements against the force of gravity, such as moving from one place to another, holding objects, chewing food, etc..
One of the main functions of the appendicular skeleton has to do with locomotion and movement, especially when compared to the axial skeleton, which has rather protective functions.
Through the appendicular skeleton we can write and play instruments, cook and hold things, as well as walk, run, jump and swim, and a host of other activities and voluntary movements that characterize us as animals and as human beings..
Likewise, each portion of this skeleton has its specific functions. The bones of the feet, for example, serve to form a base that mediates the contact of the skeleton with the ground when standing.
Another example is that of the hands, thanks to whose delicate neuromuscular connections make us capable of having some fine motor skills, capable of holding and / or lifting large or very small objects..
The human skeleton is made up of about 206 bones, of which about 126 belong to the appendicular skeleton. These include:
- The bones of the upper extremities.
- The bones of the shoulder girdle, which allow the union of the upper extremities to the trunk.
- The bones of the lower extremities.
- The bones of the pelvic girdle, which connect the lower extremities to the trunk.
These bones are connected to each other (articulated) through a large number of ligaments, cartilage and tendons..
The extremities or upper limbs are those that are attached to the upper portion of the trunk or torso, which is part of the axial skeleton.
The human skeleton has two upper extremities, one right and one left, and each one is made up of an arm, a forearm, and a hand with 5 fingers. Each arm is attached to the trunk through the bones of the shoulder girdle, so there is also a left and a right of each.
Shoulder girdle:
Arm:
Forearm:
Wrist:
Hand:
The lower extremities or limbs are those that are attached to the lower portion of the torso. Just as it is true for the upper extremities, the human body has two lower limbs (one right and one left) which “connect” with the torso through the bones that form the pelvic girdle..
Each lower limb is made up of a thigh, a leg, and a foot, each with 5 fingers. The bones in each portion are listed below..
Pelvic girdle (hip, hip bone)
Thigh
Leg
Tarsal bones (from the back of each foot)
Foot
To this portion of the appendicular skeleton also belongs another bone, the patella, that protects the knee joint and ligament attachment sites that allow for knee extension.
Both components of the human skeleton, the axial and the appendicular, are articulated directly through two joints: the sternoclavicular joint and the sacroiliac joint..
Joint sternoclavicular articulates the sternum (axial skeleton) with the clavicle (shoulder girdle, appendicular skeleton).
Joint sacroiliac articulates the sacrum (axial skeleton) with the ilium (pelvic girdle, appendicular skeleton), this last joint is very important to transfer the load of the axial skeleton on the lower limbs of the appendicular skeleton.
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