The adult human skeleton is split into two major groups: the axial skeleton, which forms the central supporting framework, and the appendicular skeleton, which forms the limbs and their attaching girdles. Together, these two groups add up to the well-known total of 206 bones.
The axial skeleton accounts for 80 of those bones: the skull, the vertebral column, the ribs, and the sternum. That leaves the appendicular skeleton to account for the rest.
The appendicular skeleton includes both upper limbs, each made up of the shoulder girdle, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones, and both lower limbs, each made up of the hip bone, thigh, leg, ankle, and foot bones. Counted out, the upper limbs together contribute 64 bones and the lower limbs together contribute 62 bones, which adds up to 126.
Since 80 (axial) plus 126 (appendicular) equals the full 206-bone total, and the question is asking specifically about the appendicular portion, 126 bones is the correct answer.
| List I (Type of Joint) | List II (Found between) | ||
| A | Cartilaginous Joint | I | Between flat skull bones |
| B | Ball and Socket Joint | II | Between adjacent vertebrae in vertebral column |
| C | Fibrous Joint | III | Between carpal and metacarpal of thumb |
| D | Saddle Joint | IV | Between Humerus and Pectoral girdle |