Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam 2026 - Free Sterile Processing Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide

The sternum is classified as part of the axial skeleton, which includes the bones that form the central axis of the body. The axial skeleton is comprised of the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum. These structures primarily serve as protection for vital organs, support for the body, and attachment points for other bones.

In contrast, the other choices represent bones from the appendicular skeleton, which consists of the limbs and the girdles that attach them to the axial skeleton. The humerus is located in the upper arm, the scapula is the shoulder blade, and the fibula is one of the bones in the lower leg. All of these bones assist in movement and structure of the limbs but are not considered part of the axial skeleton. Thus, recognizing the distinction between axial and appendicular skeletons is key to understanding human anatomy.