appendikulære

Appendikulære is a term used in anatomy and related fields to describe structures related to the limbs or appendages of the body. In Scandinavian languages, the adjective functions similarly to the English term appendicular and is applied to entities connected with the limbs, their girdles, or their components. The etymology traces to Latin roots relating to appendages or additions.

In anatomical usage, appendikulære typically refers to the appendicular skeleton and its associated tissues. The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the upper and lower limbs and the girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton. Specifically, this encompasses the pectoral girdle (clavicle and scapula), the bones of the upper limb (humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, metacarpals, and phalanges), the pelvic girdle (hip bones), and the bones of the lower limb (femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges). Joints such as the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee connect these elements.

Beyond bones, the term can describe muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues associated with the limbs, distinguishing them from axial structures like the skull, spine, and rib cage. In clinical, radiological, and biomechanical contexts, appendikulære concepts aid in describing limb development, injuries, and function, as well as comparative anatomy in paleontology and primatology.

See also: appendicular skeleton.