Lower Limb Bones and Features

pelvic girdle

enclosing structure formed by the pelvis, providing attachment for the hind limbs

pelvis

large bony structure near the base of the spine to which the hind limbs or legs are attached

coxal bones / os coxae

a large flat bone, consists of ilium, ischium, and pubis

ilium

large broad bone forming the upper part of each half of the pelvis

ischium

curved bone forming the base of each half of the pelvis

pubis

pair of bones forming the two sides of the pelvis

obturator foramen

large opening in the hipbone between the pubis and the ischium

iliac crest

thick curved upper border of the ilium, the most prominent bone on the pelvis

acetabulum

socket of the hipbone, into which the head of the femur fits

femur

bone of the thigh or upper hind limb, articulating at the hip and the knee

neck of femur

flattened pyramidal process of bone, connecting the femoral head with the femoral shaft

head of femur

the highest part of the thigh bone, supported by femoral neck, articulates with acetabulum in pelvic bone to form hip joint

greater trochanter

large, irregular, quadrilateral eminence, slightly posterior, attachment for muscles

lesser trochanter

small protuberance of bone that projects from the posterior aspect of the femur at the base of the femoral neck

medial epicondyle of femur

bony protrusion located on the medial side of the bone's distal end, it bears an elevation, the adductor tubercle

lateral epicondyle of femur

smaller and less prominent than the medial epicondyle, gives attachment to the fibular collateral ligament of the knee-joint

medial condyle of femur

medial projection on lower part of femur, help make up knee joint, articulates with meniscus above medial tibia condyle

lateral condyle of femur

lateral projection on lower part of femur, help make up knee joint, articulates with meniscus above lateral tibia condyle

patella

kneecap

tibia

inner and larger of the two bones between the knee and the ankle

lateral condyle of tibia

lateral portion of the upper extremity of tibia, it serves as the insertion for the Biceps femoris muscle

medial condyle of tibia

medial portion of the upper extremity of tibia, site of insertion for muscle

fibular articular facet

flat circular articular facet on the inferior and lateral aspect of the lateral condyle of the tibia for articulation with the head of the fibula

tibial tuberosity

oval elevation on the anterior surface of the tibia, giving attachment to patellar ligament

medial malleolus of tibia

prominence on the inner side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the tibia

fibula

lateral and smaller of the two bones of the leg; does not bear weight and articulates with the tibia

lateral malleolus of fibula

prominence on the outer side of ankle, formed by the lower end of the fibula

tarsal bones

seven bones between lower end of tibia/fibula and metatarsals

calcaneus

largest of the tarsal bones; it forms the heel and articulates with the cuboid anteriorly and the talus superiorly

talus

bone of the foot that articulates superiorly with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint inferiorly with the calcaneus to form the subtalar joint

metatarsals

five long bones numbered I-V beginning with the bone on the medial side forming the skeleton of the anterior portion of the foot

phalanges

five bones of the toes