The whole human skeleton has 206 bones, and the axial skeleton has 80…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
The whole human skeleton has bones, and the axial skeleton has . Count the appendicular skeleton in two ways.
- How many bones do the four limbs have in all?
- How many girdle bones are there? Count a clavicle and a scapula in each pectoral half, and a coxal bone in each pelvic half.
- Add (a) and (b). How many bones are in the appendicular skeleton?
- Does this agree with minus the axial skeleton?
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Each limb has bones. A hand has carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. A foot has tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges. The pectoral girdle has a clavicle and a scapula in each half. The pelvic girdle has two coxal bones. The whole skeleton has bones.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. bones in a limb. Two pectoral halves of bones, two pelvic halves of bone. Whole skeleton: . Axial: .
Plan. Count the limbs and the girdles, and compare with the difference.
Step 1. Limbs. .
Step 2. Girdles. .
Step 3. Total. .
Step 4. The check. . The two ways agree.
Answer: ; ; ; yes.
Check. .
Watch out. NCERT gives and , and the number for each limb. The is worked out from them, and it matches the sum of the parts.
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