BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB

Krešimir Tućin2nd year, 2013/14University of Zagreb Medical SchoolMentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

Function

Carry and support the weight of the entire erect body

Points for muscular attachments Locomotion (standing, walking, jumping, running,

kicking, etc.)

Components

Thigh Femur

Knee Patella

Leg Tibia (medial) Fibula (lateral)

Foot Tarsals (7) Metatarsals (5) Phalanges (14)

Surface anatomy

Bony prominences and margins – palpable

Exception: hip joint, neck, and shaft of the femur

Anatomical landmarks – define the extent of the leg

Superior anterior iliac spine, greater trochanter, medial condyle of tibia, and medial malleolus

Anterior thigh Patella Femur

Condyles

Anterior leg bones Tibia

Tibial tuberosity Anterior crest Medial surface Medial malleolus

Fibula Head Lateral malleolus

Posterior side – only tendons palpable

Femur Thigh bone Largest, longest, strongest bone in the body! Receives a lot of stress Courses medially

More in women!

Articulates with acetabulum proximally hip (“ball and socket”) joint

Articulates with tibia and patella distally knee joint

lat. acetabulum = vinegar cup

Knee

Femur, patella, tibia

Patella Kneecap Triangular sesamoid

bone Protects knee joint Improves leverage of

thigh muscles acting across the knee

Contained within patellar ligament

Tibia

Shin bone Receives weight of body

from femur and transmits to foot

Second to femur in size and weight

Articulates with fibula proximally and distally

Articulates with femur and patella proximally

Fibula

Does NOT bear weight! Muscle attachment

Not part of knee joint Stabilizes ankle joint

*ankle joint = tibia, fibula, talus

Fractures of the tibia and fibula

Foot

Function: Supports the weight of

the body Acts as a lever to

propel the body forward

Parts: Tarsals Metatarsals Phalanges of the foot

Tarsals

Hind part of the foot 7 short bones Similar to the carpals Parts:

Calcaneus Talus Navicular 3 Cuneiforms Cuboid

Metatarsals and phalanges of the foot

Metatarsals Midfoot Similar to metacarpals

Phalanges Forefoot 2 in the big toe, 3 in

each of the other toes

Both long bones

Foot arches

References

en.wikipedia.org www.innerbody.com www.dartmouth.edu faculty.ccri.edu Elsevier, Drake et al: Gray's anatomy for students