Which pair represents the two major subdivisions of the skeleton?

• A. Skeleton and appendicular skeleton
• B. Axial skeleton and appendicular skeleton
• C. Cranial skeleton and facial skeleton
• D. Vertebral skeleton and rib cage

Answer: (B)

The skeleton is organized into two main divisions: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body and includes the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, focusing on protecting the brain, spinal cord, and thoracic organs and providing essential support. The appendicular skeleton comprises the limbs and the girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton—the shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and the bones of the arms, legs, hands, and feet—specializing in movement and interaction with the environment. This pairing is the best answer because it reflects how anatomy groups bones by location and function rather than mixing unrelated parts. The other options mix a whole structure with a subdivision or name components of the skull or axial elements, which do not describe the standard two-part division.