What does a limb stand for?

A limb is a jointed, muscled appendage of an animal (such as an arm, leg, wing, or flipper) that extends from the main body and is used for movement, manipulation, and physical interaction with the environment. In humans and other tetrapods, limbs are divided into upper (arms) and lower (legs) extremities, each composed of bones, muscles, joints, and other tissues allowing complex and coordinated movement.

Key Points

• The upper limbs in humans are the arms, forearms, and hands, while lower limbs are the thighs, legs, and feet.
• Limbs are crucial for walking, running, grasping, lifting, and many daily activities.
• Other animals have adapted limbs for swimming (fins, flippers), flying (wings), or grasping (prehensile limbs).
• The structure of limbs is remarkably consistent (homologous) among most vertebrates, with specific variations suited to different functions.