Each member is attached ("appended") to the axial skeleton by a skeletal element called a girdle.
a. Pelvic Girdles. The girdle of each lower member is called the pelvic girdle. Each pelvic girdle is attached firmly to the corresponding side of the sacrum. With their ligaments, the two pelvic girdles and sacrum together form a solid bony circle known as the bony pelvis.
b. Pectoral Girdles. The girdle of each upper member is called the pectoral girdle. Unlike the pelvic girdles, each pectoral girdle is very loosely attached to the axial skeleton. The sole attachment is by the sternoclavicular joint, which in turn is constructed to increase the degrees of motion.
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This ebook provides an introductory explanation of the workings of the human body, with an effort to draw connections between the body systems and explain their interdependencies. A framework for the book is homeostasis and how the body maintains balance within each system. This is intended as a first introduction to physiology for a college-level course.