The human skeleton has 206 bones, split into two groups. The axial skeleton has 80 bones along the body's main axis (skull, vertebral column, sternum and ribs), while the appendicular skeleton has 126 bones (the two limbs plus the pectoral and pelvic girdles). Memory hook: "AXial = AXis (centre line); APPendicular = APPendages (arms and legs)". 80 + 126 = 206.
The 206 bones split into the axial skeleton (80: skull, vertebral column, sternum, ribs) and the appendicular skeleton (126: limbs plus the pectoral and pelvic girdles).
Your doubts, answered
Is the vertebral column axial or appendicular?
The vertebral column is part of the AXIAL skeleton. NCERT is clear: the axial skeleton is made of the skull, vertebral column, sternum and ribs. These lie along the main central axis of the body, so they are axial, not appendicular.
Are the pectoral and pelvic girdles axial or appendicular?
Both girdles are part of the APPENDICULAR skeleton. Even though they sit close to the trunk, the girdles attach the limbs (appendages) to the body. The pectoral girdle joins the arms and the pelvic girdle joins the legs to the axial skeleton, so they are counted in the 126 appendicular bones.
How is the 80 and the 126 split made?
Axial (80) = skull (22) + hyoid (1) + ear ossicles (6, three in each ear) + vertebral column (26) + sternum (1) + ribs (24, that is 12 pairs). Appendicular (126) = two upper limbs + two lower limbs + pectoral girdle + pelvic girdle. For NEET, remember axial 80 + appendicular 126 = 206; the exam mostly checks which structure belongs to which group, not the deeper sub-counts.
Is the sternum axial or appendicular?
The sternum is AXIAL. It lies in the middle of the front (ventral) of the chest, along the body axis, and joins the true ribs. NEET has directly stated 'Sternum is present on the ventral side of the body' as a true statement in NCERT exercises.
Are ribs part of the axial skeleton and how many are there?
Yes, ribs are AXIAL. Humans have 12 pairs of ribs. The first 7 pairs are true ribs (attached to the sternum in front and the thoracic vertebrae behind), the next 3 pairs (8th to 10th) are false ribs, and the last 2 pairs (11th, 12th) are floating ribs that do not connect to the sternum.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Students count the pectoral and pelvic girdles as axial because they are near the middle of the body. ✓ Girdles are APPENDICULAR. The rule is by function, not position: girdles attach the appendages (limbs) to the axial skeleton, so they are counted in the 126 appendicular bones, not the 80 axial bones. 🧠 If it helps you move an arm or a leg, it is appendicular. The axis is only skull + backbone + ribs + sternum.
Real NEET questions
2017
Out of 'X' pairs of ribs in humans only 'Y' pairs are true ribs. Select the option that correctly represents values of X and Y and provides their explanation:
A · X = 12, Y = 7; True ribs are attached dorsally to vertebral column and ventrally to the sternum ✓
B · X = 12, Y = 5; True ribs are attached dorsally to vertebral column and sternum on the two ends
C · X = 24, Y = 7; True ribs are dorsally attached to vertebral column but are free on ventral side
D · X = 24, Y = 12; True ribs are dorsally attached to vertebral column but are free on ventral side
Solution: Humans have 12 pairs of ribs (X = 12). The first 7 pairs are true ribs (Y = 7): each attaches dorsally (behind) to a thoracic vertebra and ventrally (in front) to the sternum through hyaline cartilage. Ribs and sternum are part of the axial skeleton.
2021
Match List I with List II.
List I: (a) Scapula (b) Cranium (c) Sternum (d) Vertebral column
List II: (i) Cartilaginous joints (ii) Flat bones (iii) Fibrous joints (iv) Triangular flat bone
A · (a)-(iv); (b)-(ii); (c)-(iii); (d)-(i)
B · (a)-(iv); (b)-(iii); (c)-(ii); (d)-(i) ✓
C · (a)-(i); (b)-(iii); (c)-(ii); (d)-(iv)
D · (a)-(ii); (b)-(iii); (c)-(iv); (d)-(i)
Solution: Scapula is a large triangular flat bone (appendicular, pectoral girdle) - iv. Cranium bones are joined by fibrous sutures - iii. Sternum is a flat bone - ii. Adjacent vertebrae are joined by cartilaginous joints - i. Note the axial members here (cranium, sternum, vertebral column) versus the appendicular scapula.
2026
Which of the following statements are correct with reference to human endoskeleton?
A. Human skull is monocondylic.
B. The joint between any two adjoining vertebrae is a cartilaginous joint.
C. In human beings, the number of cervical vertebrae is seven.
D. All ribs except the last 2 pairs are bicephalic.
E. The occipital bone of skull is articulated with atlas vertebra.
A · B and E only
B · B, C and E only ✓
C · C, D and E only
D · A, B and D only
Solution: B, C and E are correct. A is wrong: the human skull is DICONDYLIC (two occipital condyles), not monocondylic. B: adjacent vertebrae form a cartilaginous joint. C: 7 cervical vertebrae. E: the occipital region articulates with the atlas (first vertebra). Skull and vertebral column are axial-skeleton structures.
Solved Locomotion and Movement NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
How many bones are in the axial and appendicular skeleton?
The axial skeleton has 80 bones and the appendicular skeleton has 126 bones. Together they make the 206 bones of the adult human skeleton (80 + 126 = 206).
What bones make up the axial skeleton?
Per NCERT, the axial skeleton is made of the skull, vertebral column, sternum and ribs. It also includes the hyoid bone and the six ear ossicles (three in each middle ear).
What is included in the appendicular skeleton?
The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the two upper limbs and two lower limbs, plus the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapula) and the pelvic girdle. These bones attach the limbs to the axial skeleton.
Why are the girdles appendicular and not axial?
Because they connect the appendages (limbs) to the body. The pectoral girdle links the arms and the pelvic girdle links the legs to the axial skeleton, so they belong to the appendicular group by function.
Is the skull axial or appendicular?
The skull is axial. It sits on top of the body's main axis and is counted among the 80 axial bones, along with the vertebral column, sternum and ribs.
