Which bone attaches the upper limb to the axial skeleton along the shoulder girdle?

Which bone attaches the upper limb to the axial skeleton along the shoulder girdle?

• A. Scapula
• B. Humerus
• C. Radius
• D. Clavicle

Answer: (D)

The clavicle is the bone that directly links the upper limb to the axial skeleton via the sternoclavicular joint. Its medial end connects with the sternum, making the shoulder girdle a direct bridge between the arm and the trunk. This bone also acts as a supportive strut, keeping the scapula in place and helping transmit forces from the arm to the thorax. The scapula sits on the thorax and connects to the clavicle and humerus but isn’t directly attached to the axial skeleton. The humerus meets the scapula at the shoulder joint, while the forearm bones (radius and ulna) are located away from the axial skeleton.

The clavicle is the bone that directly links the upper limb to the axial skeleton via the sternoclavicular joint. Its medial end connects with the sternum, making the shoulder girdle a direct bridge between the arm and the trunk. This bone also acts as a supportive strut, keeping the scapula in place and helping transmit forces from the arm to the thorax. The scapula sits on the thorax and connects to the clavicle and humerus but isn’t directly attached to the axial skeleton. The humerus meets the scapula at the shoulder joint, while the forearm bones (radius and ulna) are located away from the axial skeleton.