Final answer:
The pelvic girdle (option 1) , consisting of the hip bones formed by the fused ilium, ischium, and pubis, along with the sacrum and coccyx, is the structure that attaches lower limbs to the axial skeleton and supports the upper body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pelvic Girdle
The pelvic girdle attaches the lower limbs to the axial skeleton and is vital for bearing weight and allowing for locomotion. In adults, the pelvic girdle is comprised of the hip bones, or coxal bones, which are each formed by the fusion of three pairs of bones: the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis. These hip bones join anteriorly at the pubic symphysis and posteriorly with the sacrum.
Hence, the group of six bones collectively referred to in the context of the pelvis are the right and left hip bones (each consisting of fused ilium, ischium, and pubis), the sacrum, and the coccyx, which form the structure that supports the upper body, facilitates the attachment of lower limb muscles, and protects internal pelvic organs. Among the given options, number 1) Pelvic girdle is the correct term that refers to these collective bones.