Identify which answer correctly distinguishes between the axial and appendicular skeleton.

• A. Axial: Ribs, spine, hip bones. Appendicular: Shoulder blades, finger bones, metatarsals.
• B. Axial: Skull, tail bone, ribs. Appendicular: Shoulder blades, wrist bones, knee cap.
• C. Axial: Heel bone, femur, hip bones. Appendicular: Spine, ribs, skull.
• D. Axial: Carpals, sacrum, humerus. Appendicular: Ribs, hip bones, femur.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic distinction between the axial and appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton includes bones that form the central axis of the body, such as the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage. The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and girdles, such as the shoulder blades and pelvis.
2. Review the components of the axial skeleton: The axial skeleton consists of the skull, vertebral column (including the tail bone or coccyx), and the rib cage.
3. Review the components of the appendicular skeleton: The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as the girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton, such as the shoulder blades (scapula) and pelvic bones.
4. Analyze each option provided in the problem to determine which correctly categorizes the bones into axial and appendicular skeletons based on the definitions.
5. Identify the correct answer by matching the bones listed in each option to their respective categories (axial or appendicular) and ensure they align with the definitions provided in the previous steps.