What are the two main divisions of the skeletal system?

The skeletal system is divided into two main divisions: axial and appendicular. The axial skeleton serves as the central framework of the body and consists of the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum. This structure supports and protects vital organs, including the brain, heart, and lungs, while providing an attachment point for muscles involved in movement and posture.

In contrast, the appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs and the girdles that connect them to the axial skeleton. This includes the shoulder girdle (clavicles and scapulae), pelvis, and the bones of the arms and legs. The appendicular skeleton is essential for mobility and manipulation of the environment, allowing for movement and a range of activities.

The other options focus on particular subsets or descriptions of bones rather than the overarching structure of the skeletal system. Cranial and facial refers specifically to bones in the skull, long bones and short bones categorize individual bones by their shapes, while proximal and distal describe the location of bones relative to the center of the body or point of reference, rather than organizing the overall skeletal system.