The appendicular skeleton includes the pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, and the bones of the upper and lower limbs.
Compare the mobility and stability of the pectoral and pelvic girdles.
The pectoral girdle has high mobility with a shallow glenoid cavity but less stability. The pelvic girdle has low mobility with a deep acetabulum but greater stability.
What bones form the pectoral girdle?
The clavicle and scapula form the pectoral girdle.
Which end of the clavicle articulates with the sternum and which with the scapula?
The sternal end articulates with the manubrium of the sternum; the acromial end articulates with the acromion of the scapula.
Name the three borders and three angles of the scapula.
Femur is the longest and strongest bone; patella is a triangular sesamoid bone that protects the knee and improves muscle leverage.
Compare the tibia and fibula in position, weight bearing, and joint participation.
Tibia is medial, massive, weight-bearing, and forms the knee joint; fibula is lateral, slender, stabilizes the ankle, and does not form the knee joint.