appendiculaire

Appendiculaire is a French adjective meaning appendicular. In anatomy, it designates structures belonging to the appendicular skeleton, i.e., the limbs and the supportive girdles, as opposed to the axial skeleton (skull, spine, rib cage).

In humans, the appendicular skeleton comprises the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapula), the bones of the upper limb (humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges), the pelvic girdle, and the bones of the lower limb (femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges). The term is also used to describe related soft tissues and regions, such as muscles and nerves that are organized around these bones.

Outside the strict skeleton, appendiculaire is used more broadly to refer to appendages or structures that extend from the main body, such as fins, wings, or antennae in various organisms. In medical French, it is not used to name the vermiform appendix; that organ is called l’appendice. The exact usage depends on the disciplinary context.