Editing Appendicular skeleton (section)

==The organization of the appendicular system==
Of the 206 bones in the [[human skeleton]], the appendicular skeleton comprises 126. Functionally, it is involved in [[terrestrial locomotion]] and [[weight-bearing]] ([[lower limb]]s), and [[grasping]] and [[object manipulation]] ([[upper limb]]s).

The appendicular skeleton forms during development from [[cartilage]], by the process of [[endochondral ossification]].

The appendicular skeleton is divided into six major regions:

* [[Shoulder girdle]] (4 bones) - Left and right [[clavicle]] (2) and [[scapula]] (2).
* [[Arm]]s and [[forearm]]s (6 bones) - Left and right [[humerus]] (2) (arm), [[ulna]] (2) and [[radius (bone)|radius]] (2) (forearm).
* [[Hand]]s and [[wrist]]s (54 bones) - Left and right [[carpals]] (16) (wrist), [[metacarpals]] (10) ([[palm (anatomy)|palm]]), [[proximal phalanges]] (10), [[intermediate phalanges]] (8) and [[distal phalanges]] (10) ([[finger]]).
* [[Human pelvis|Pelvis]] (2 bones) - left and right [[hip bone]]s (2), each of which is actually a fusion of three bones ([[ilium (bone)|ilium]], [[ischium]] and [[pubis (bone)|pubis]]).
* [[Thigh]]s and [[leg]]s (8 bones) - Left and right [[femur]] (2) (thigh), [[patella]] (2) (knee), [[tibia]] (2) and [[fibula]] (2) (leg).
* [[Feet]] and [[ankle]]s (52 bones) - Left and right [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsals]] (14) (ankle), [[Metatarsal bones|metatarsals]] (10) (foot), [[proximal phalanges]](10), [[intermediate phalanges]] (8) and [[distal phalanges]] (10) ([[toe]]).

Through [[anatomical variation]], the appendicular skeleton may have an [[accessory bone]]. Examples include [[sesamoid]]s in the hands and feet. Some occurrences are rarer than others.

The 126 bones of the appendicular skeleton and the 80 bones of the [[axial skeleton]] together form the complete skeleton of 206 bones in the human body. Unlike the axial skeleton, the appendicular skeleton is made up of significantly more [[long bone]]s and predominantly [[joint|articulate]]d via [[synovial joint]]s, which allow for a much greater [[range of motion]].