[A review of the suspension of paired limbs in vertebrates from functional viewpoints]

The functional interpretation is delivered of the principal morphological subdivisions of the paired limbs in the vertebrate animals, that is of the girdles and free parts. To distinguish between those, the functional criteria are suggested. On this basis the variants are considered of suspension of the fore and hind limbs in various groups of Gnathostomata. In the hind limbs the boundary between the girdle and the free part does always pass through the hip joint. In the fore limb the corresponding boundary passes through the shoulder joint in fishes. However, in most tetrapods it shifts proximally due to the release of the scapulocoracoid mobility. This tendency reached its maximum in turtles and viviparous mammals. The main attention is paid to the analysis of the arrangement of the scapulocoracoid suspension in various groups of tetrapods.