Final answer:
The appendicular skeleton includes the limb bones, the bones of the hands and feet, and the girdles that connect them to the axial skeleton, consisting of 126 bones in total. It facilitates movement and provides protection for certain organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Appendicular Skeleton
The appendicular skeleton is composed of the bones that form the human body's appendages and their attachments to the central skeleton, known as the axial skeleton. Specifically, the appendicular skeleton consists of the bones of the pectoral limbs (which includes the arm, forearm, and hand), the pelvic limbs (including the thigh, leg, and foot), as well as the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle. The girdles serve as points of attachment, anchoring the limbs to the axial skeleton, which comprises the head and trunk.
The pectoral girdle, or shoulder girdle, connects the upper limbs to the torso, facilitating arm movements and providing structural support. The pelvic girdle performs a similar function for the lower limbs, connecting the legs to the trunk of the body. In total, the appendicular skeleton includes 126 bones, enabling a wide range of movements necessary for locomotion, manipulation of objects, and certain protective functions for vital organs associated with digestion, excretion, and reproduction.