Bones of the Lower Limb

Femur

Only bone of the thigh

Largest and strongest bone in the body

Proximal epiphysis features the Head that articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip joint

Fovea Capitis houses a ligament to attach the femur head to the acetabulum

Neck is distal to the head

Lateral to the neck is the Greater Trochanter and medially and distally is the Lesser Trochanter connected by the Intertrochanteric Line and Intertrochanteric Crest

Diaphysis or Shaft includes the Linea Aspera on the posterior side

Distal epiphysis has the Medial and Lateral Epicondyles which taper into the Medial and Lateral Condyles that articulate with the tibia to form the knee joint

Intercondylar Fossa indents on the posterior surface

Anterior space is the Patellar Surface

Patella

Sesamoid bone located within the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle group

• Proximal end is the Base

Distal end is the Apex

• The tendon continues as the patellar ligament to insert into the tibia and secure the patella

Leg

Consists of a medial Tibia and a lateral Fibula held together by an Interosseous Membrane

Articulate with each other at both ends by tibiofibular joints

Tibia

Second strongest bone in the body

Proximal end has Medial and Lateral Condyles, which articulate with condyles of the femur to form the knee joint

Intercondylar Eminence sits between the condyles for ligament attachment

Tibial Tuberosity sits on the anterior surface and attaches to the patellar ligament

Sharp anterior ridge is the Anterior Crest, or shin

Distal epiphysis terminates in the Medial Malleolus, or medial “ankle bone”

Fibula

Proximal Head articulates with the lateral tibia at the proximal tibiofibular joint

Distally articulates with the tibia at the distal tibiofibular joint

Forms the Lateral Malleolus or lateral “ankle bone”

Tarsals (Ankle)

consists of 7 short bones

proximal tarsal bones and distal tarsal bones

mnemonic for tarsal bones:

This College Needs Me In Lab Classes

Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, Medial cuneiform, Intermediate cuneiform, Lateral cuneiform, Cubiod

Trochlear notch of ulna is in the shape of a “U” for ulna

patella means little plate and is plate shaped

navicular bone resembles a navy boat, so think navy

Proximal Tarsal Bones

Talus – Forms the ankle joint and sits on the calcaneus

Calcaneus – Makes up the heel of the foot and attaches to the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon

Navicular – Articulates with the talus

Distal Tarsal Bones (medial to lateral)

Medial, Intermediate, Lateral Cuneiforms – Articulate with the navicular
Cuboid – Articulates with the calcaneus

Foot

Includes the metatarsals that articulate with the distal tarsal bones proximally and the bones of the toes (phalanges) distally

May include 2 sesamoid bones

Metatarsals

numbered I-V from lateral to medial

Proximal epiphysis is the Base, the diaphysis is the Body, the distal epiphysis is the Head

On the plantar surface of metatarsal one, usually find two sesamoid bones called “Sesamoids”

Repetitive activity may cause sesamoiditis

Common in athletes who play on artificial turf, called “turf toe”

Toes

Includes 14 total Phalanges

• Toes each have a Proximal, Middle (Intermediate), and Distal Phalanx, with Bases, Bodies, and Heads

• Great Toe (Hallux) only has Proximal and Distal Phalanges

Sometimes the fifth toe has only two as well

Arches of the Foot

Three arches, that are supported by ligaments and muscles, prevent the foot from resting flat on the ground during walking or standing

Medial Longitudinal Arch – Medial side of the foot; Calcaneus to metatarsals I-III

Lateral Longitudinal Arch – Lateral side of the foot; Calcaneus to metatarsals IV-V

Transverse Arch – Middle of the foot; Distal tarsals and bases of all five metatarsals