How is the human skeleton categorized?

The human skeleton is categorized into two main parts: the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton includes the bones of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage, which are primarily responsible for protecting the central nervous system and supporting the body's structure. Meanwhile, the appendicular skeleton comprises the bones of the limbs and the pelvic and shoulder girdles, which facilitate movement and interaction with the environment. This division into axial and appendicular provides a clear organizational framework for understanding the different functions and roles of the bones in the human body.

The other options do not accurately represent the conventional categorization of the skeleton. While "central and peripheral" could imply a distinction between core and limb structures, it is not the standard terminology used in anatomy. The "upper and lower" categorization does not encompass the entire skeleton but rather refers only to body regions. Similarly, "anterior and posterior" describes relative positions of structures in the body rather than a system for classifying the bones themselves. Thus, the categorization into axial and appendicular is the most accurate and widely accepted approach in the study of human anatomy.