Which of the following bones belongs to the appendicular skeleton?
Solution
Correct Answer: Option A
- The appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the limbs and the girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton.
- It primarily includes the bones of the upper and lower limbs, as well as the pectoral (shoulder) girdle and the pelvic girdle.
In this question:
- The Femur is the thigh bone and is part of the lower limb, which clearly belongs to the appendicular skeleton.
- The Sternum is a flat bone located in the center of the chest and is part of the axial skeleton.
- The Vertebra forms the vertebral column or spine, which is a central structure of the axial skeleton.
- The Parietal bone is one of the cranial bones forming the roof and sides of the skull, also part of the axial skeleton.
Therefore, the correct answer is the Femur, as it is a bone of the limb included in the appendicular skeleton.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd Edition, Chapter 4: The Skeletal System / Page 45