Which skeleton is composed of the vertebral column, thorax, and skull?

The axial skeleton is indeed composed of the vertebral column, thorax, and skull. Its primary role is to provide support and protection for the central nervous system and the organs within the thorax, such as the heart and lungs. The vertebral column offers structural support and protects the spinal cord, while the skull encases and safeguards the brain. The thorax, formed by the ribs and sternum, creates a protective cage for vital organs and assists in the respiratory process by facilitating breathing. This structure is essential for maintaining the body's posture and providing a framework for muscle attachment, which contributes to movement and stability.

In contrast, the appendicular skeleton includes the limbs and their attachments to the axial skeleton, the pelvic skeleton pertains solely to the bones making up the pelvis, and the term "peripheral skeleton" is not a standard term used to describe any part of the human skeleton. Thus, the definition of the axial skeleton as the integral framework that includes the central components of the skeleton makes it the correct choice in this context.