Bones of the Lower Limb

The Lower Limb

Carries entire weight of erect body

Lower Limb Forces

Subjected to exceptional forces during jumping or running

Bones per Leg

30 bones per leg

Segments of Lower Limb

Thigh, Leg, Foot

Femur

Largest and strongest bone in the body, about one

Femur Articulation

Proximally with acetabulum of hip; distally with tibia and patella

Patella

Sesamoid bone in quadriceps tendon; protects knee joint

Fovea Capitis

Small pit in ball

Greater and Lesser Trochanters

Muscle attachment sites

Intertrochanteric Line and Crest

Connect greater and lesser trochanters

Gluteal Tuberosity

Blends into linea aspera; diverges into medial and lateral supracondylar lines

Femur Condyles

Lateral and medial condyles articulate with tibia

Femur Epicondyles

Medial and lateral sites of muscle attachment

Adductor Tubercle

Bump on medial epicondyle

Patellar Surface

Articulates with patella

Intercondylar Fossa

Lies between condyles

Leg Bones

Made up of two parallel bones, tibia and fibula

Interosseous Membrane

Connects tibia and fibula

Tibia

Medial leg bone; receives body weight from femur and transmits to foot

Fibula

Not weight bearing; no articulation with femur

Fibula Muscles

Several muscles originate from fibula

Fibula Articulations

Articulates proximally and distally with tibia

Pott’s Fracture

Occurs at distal end of fibula, tibia, or both; common sports injury

Foot Skeleton

Includes bones of tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges

Tarsus

7 tarsal bones form posterior half of foot

Talus and Calcaneus

Bear body weight; calcaneus forms heel

Calcaneal Tuberosity

Part that touches ground

Sustentacular Tali (Talar Shelf)

Supports talus

Other Tarsal Bones

Cuboid, navicular, and medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiform bones

Metatarsals

Five bones (I–V from hallux to little toe)

Metatarsal I Head

Enlarged; forms “ball of the foot”

Phalanges

14 bones of toes

Hallux (Great Toe)

Two bones; no middle phalanx

Digits II–V

Three bones each: distal, middle, proximal phalanges

Foot Arches

Maintained by interlocking bones, ligaments, and tendons; allow foot to bear weight

Lateral Longitudinal Arch

Low curve; elevates lateral part of foot

Medial Longitudinal Arch

Arch curves upwards

Transverse Arch

Runs obliquely from one side of foot to other

Fallen Arches (Flat Feet)

Result from stress on tendons and ligaments of feet

Causes of Flat Feet

Standing immobile for long periods or running on hard surfaces without arch support