KN 232 Week 5 Part 4: Anatomical Terms and Definitions for the Lower Limbs

Femur

longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body located in thigh region.

head of femur

articulates with the os coxae at the acetabulum

neck of femur

Joins the shaft of the femur at an angle.

fovea capitis of femur

a small depression in the head of the femur for the attachment of a short ligament that runs to the acetabulum

Greater Trochanter

A bony projection on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.

Lesser Trochanter

On the posterior and medial side of femur.

Intertrochanteric line

region formed anteriorly between the trochanters.

Intertrochanteric crest

oblique region of bone formed posteriorly between the greater and lesser trochanters

Gluteal tuberosity

back of femur; bump above the linea aspera that is on the upper portion of femur. Attaches gluteus maximus muscle

Linea aspera

Elevated midline ridge where thigh muscles attach. branches into medial and lateral supracondylar lines.

Medial condyle

Separated by deep intercondylar fossa. Inferior to medial epicondyle.

Lateral epicondyle

Separated by deep intercondylar fossa. Inferior to lateral epicondyle.

Medial supracondylar line

a subtle ridge extending from the distal end of the linea aspera and angles medially

Lateral supracondylar line

a subtle ridge extending from the distal end of the linea aspera and angles laterally

Medial epicondyle

Superior to medial condyle

Lateral Epicondyle

Superior to lateral condyle

Intercondylar fossa

The depression between the condyles of the femur.

Note for condyles and epicondyles of the femur.

Located distal to the femur.

Patella

kneecap. Base is broader and is superior to apex.

Tibia

Medial bone of the leg. Larger than complement bone. Connects to complementary bone via the interosseous membrane.

Medial condyle of tibia

Flat surface on superior and media head (proximal of tibia) that articulates with medial condyle of the femur. Separated from lateral condyle by the intercondylar eminence (ridge).

Lateral condyle of tibia

Flat surface on superior and lateral head (proximal of tibia) that articulates with lateral condyle of the femur. Separated from medial condyle by the intercondylar eminence (ridge).

intercondylar eminence of tibia

irregular projection located between the two condyles of the tibia

Tibial tuberosity of the tibia

point where the patellar ligament attaches

Anterior border of the tibia

The shin. Sharp anterior ridge (anterior crest; tibial crest.)

Medial malleolus of tibia

forms the medial bulge of the ankle

Fibula

Lateral bone of the leg. smaller than complement bone. Connects to complementary bone via the interosseous membrane.

Head of fibula

proximal end of fibula

Lateral Malleolus of the fibula

process forming the outer ankle

Tarsals

Ankle Bones. 2 sets accounting for both feet. Bones include the Calcaneus, Talus, Cuboid, Medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, and lateral cuneiform.

Mnemonic:

Tiger Cubs Need MILC

Talus of tibia

Articulates with tibia. Second largest of tarsal bones. "Tiger"

Calcaneus of tarsals

heel bone; largest of the tarsal bones. "Cubs"

Navicular of tarsals

Medial side of ankle. "Need"

Medial cuneiform of tarsals

Most medial of the cuneiform bones. Articulates with intermediate cuneiform laterally. Positioned anteriorly of navicular bone.

"M".

Intermediate cuneiform of tarsals

Between medial and lateral cuneiform of the cuneiform bones. Positioned anteriorly of navicular bone. "I".

Lateral cuneiform of tarsals

Articulates with cuboid bone laterally and intermediate cuneiform medially. "L".

Cuboid of tarsals

Lateral place. Articulates with lateral cuneiform medially and calcaneus posteriorly. "C".

Metatarsals

Foot bone, numbered 1 to 5, from Hallux (big toe) to little toe respectively.

Tiger Cubs need MILC

mnemonic for remembering tarsals.

Phalanges

3 types: proximal, middle, and distal.

Proximal Phalanges of foot

Articulates with metatarsals. Digits 1-5 from hallux (big toe) to little toe respectively.

Middle Phalanges of foot

between proximal and distal phalanges of foot. Digits 2-5 from medial to lateral little toe (hallux does not have this) respectively.

Distal Phalanges of foot.

distal toe bones. Largest is on hallux. Digits 1-5 from hallux to little toe respectively.