The
appendicular skeleton is the portion of the
skeleton of
vertebrates consisting of the bones or cartilage that support the
appendages. Appendages appeared as
fins in early fishes, and subsequently evolved into the limbs of
tetrapods. The appendicular skeleton includes the skeletal elements within the limbs, as well as supporting
pectoral and
pelvic girdles in the case of tetrapods (these are lacking in fish). The word appendicular is the adjective of the noun
appendage, which itself means a part that is joined to something larger.