What are the two compartmental classifications of the skeleton?

• A. Central and peripheral
• B. Proximal and distal
• C. Axial and appendicular
• D. Anterior and posterior

Answer: (C)

Skeleton organization is divided into two major compartments: axial and appendicular. The axial skeleton comprises the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, providing the central framework that protects the brain, spinal cord, and thoracic organs and supports the body’s posture. The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and the girdles—the shoulder girdle and the pelvic girdle—that attach to the axial skeleton and primarily enable movement by acting as levers for muscles. This split isn’t about limb positions or front-back orientation; it’s about grouping bones by their location relative to the body's central axis and their role in support versus movement. Other pairings like central/peripheral refer to the nervous system, proximal/distal describe spots along a limb, and anterior/posterior describe orientation, none of which define the main division of the skeleton.