The bones of the upper and lower extremities, including their corresponding girdles, comprise which skeleton?

The correct choice is the appendicular skeleton, which encompasses the bones of the upper extremities (such as the arms and shoulders) and lower extremities (including the legs and pelvis). This includes the structures that attach the limbs to the axial skeleton, which consists primarily of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage. The appendicular skeleton is crucial for movement and enables a wide range of activities, from walking to manipulation of objects.

The axial skeleton provides the central framework for the body, but it is the appendicular skeleton that allows for mobility and interaction with the environment. The visceral skeleton refers to the bones that develop in soft organs, while the facial skeleton consists specifically of the bones that form the structure of the face. Knowing these distinctions helps in understanding the organization of the human skeletal system and its function in supporting movement and physical activity.