Bones of the Lower Body

Lab 5 Instructions - Bones of the Lower Body

Objectives

  • Identifying Bones: To identify the bones of the lower body.

  • Labeling Bone Markings: To label the bone markings of the bones of the lower body.

  • Differentiating Bones: To differentiate between right and left of some bones.

  • Explaining Sexual Dimorphism: To explain the differences between the male and female hip bones.

Overview of Lower Body Bones

  • The bones of the lower body facilitate locomotion, supporting activities such as walking, riding a bicycle, jogging, and jumping.

  • The lower body bones you will be responsible for include:

    • Os coxae (hip bones)

    • Femur (thigh bone)

    • Tibia (shin bone)

    • Fibula (smaller lower leg bone)

    • Tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges (bones of the feet)

    • Patella (kneecap)

Pelvic Girdle

  • The pelvic girdle, composed of the os coxae, forms a ring of bone that supports and connects to the bones of the lower legs.

  • It must be both

    • Strong: To withstand shocks from walking and running.

    • Flexible: To allow widening during childbirth.

Os Coxae (Hip Bones)

  • The os coxae make up the pelvic girdle with two bones supporting each leg (one right and one left).

  • This bone is characterized by a large and irregular shape, making it difficult to visualize in three-dimensional space without handling it.

  • Regions of the Os Coxae:

    • Ilium

    • Ischium

    • Pubis

  • Many bone markings within these regions derive from their respective names, aiding in memorization.

Bone Markings of the Os Coxae

  • The following bone markings of the os coxae are essential for Test 2:

    • Ilium:

    • Iliac crest

    • Anterior gluteal line

    • Anterior superior iliac spine

    • Anterior inferior iliac spine

    • Body of ilium

    • Inferior gluteal line

    • Posterior gluteal line

    • Posterior superior iliac spine

    • Posterior inferior iliac spine

    • Greater sciatic notch

    • Acetabulum

    • Iliac fossa

    • Auricular surface

    • Ischium:

    • Ischial spine

    • Lesser sciatic notch

    • Body of ischium

    • Ischial tuberosity

    • Ramus of ischium

    • Pubis:

    • Obturator foramen

    • Inferior ramus of pubis

    • Body of pubis

    • Superior ramus of pubis

    • Pubic tubercle

    • Location of symphysis pubis

Differences Between Male and Female Pelvis

  • Identification in Forensic Context:

    • Forensic anthropologists can determine whether bones belonged to a male or female based on the characteristics of the os coxae.

  • Male Pelvis:

    • Typically denser and taller than female.

    • Higher iliac crest and narrower than female pelvis.

    • The pelvic inlet is heart-shaped.

  • Female Pelvis:

    • Usually wider and shorter with a round or oval pelvic inlet.

  • Symphysis Pubis Joint:

    • Anterior connection of os coxae, featuring a pad of cartilage that absorbs motion, resulting in a cartilaginous joint.

    • Hormones during pregnancy cause softening of this cartilage for childbirth.

Activities for Learning Os Coxae

  1. Coloring:

    • Ilium: Yellow

    • Ischium: Pink

    • Pubis: Light Blue

  2. Labeling:

    • Locate the bone markings on a model of the os coxae and label them.

  3. Practice:

    • Cover the names and repeatedly practice recalling them until familiarity is achieved.

Coloring the Articulated Pelvis

  1. Color & Label Parts:

    • Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis.

    • Pad of cartilage at the symphysis pubis.

  2. Label Parts of Os Coxae:

    • Practice recalling from memory.

Online Learning Activities

  1. Get Body Smart Tutorial:

    • Access materials on skeletal system and lower limb bones, focusing on hip bones and related anatomy.

    • Complete quizzes for self-testing, favoring the real bone option for applied learning.

The Femur

  • The femur is part of the appendicular skeleton and forms the proximal part of the lower limbs.

  • Known as the thigh bone and is one of the largest bones in the body:

    • Forms a ball-and-socket joint with the acetabulum of the os coxae, allowing for free movement.

    • Distally connects to the patella and tibia to form the knee joint.

    • Has numerous markings that serve as attachment points for muscles and ligaments.

Bone Markings of the Femur

  • Important markings of the femur include:

    • Greater trochanter

    • Intertrochanteric line

    • Fovea capitis

    • Head

    • Neck

    • Lesser Trochanter

    • Spiral Line

    • Gluteal tuberosity

    • Linea aspera

    • Adductor tubercle

    • Intertrochanteric crest

    • Medial supracondylar line

    • Popliteal surface

    • Medial epicondyle

    • Medial condyle

    • Lateral supracondylar line

    • Lateral epicondyle

    • Lateral condyle

    • Intercondylar fossa

    • Patellar surface

Activities for Learning the Femur

  1. Coloring the Femur:

    • Color each marking a different color and label them.

    • Practice recalling names of markings without looking.

  2. Online Learning:

    • Engage in similar activities as listed for the os coxae.

Tibia and Fibula

  • The tibia and fibula make up the shin area of the lower leg.

  • Tibia:

    • Supports most weight in the lower leg.

    • Articulates proximally with the knee and distally with the ankle.

  • Fibula:

    • A slender bone that assists with stability and is easily fractured.

Bone Markings of the Tibia and Fibula

  • Tibia Markings:

    • Medial condyle

    • Lateral condyle

    • Tibial tuberosity

    • Anterior crest

    • Medial malleolus

  • Fibula Markings:

    • Apex

    • Head

    • Lateral malleolus

Activities for Learning Tibia and Fibula

  1. Coloring Bones:

    • Different colors for each identified marking.

    • Practice naming markings repeatedly.

  2. Online Learning:

    • Utilize quizzes and interactive learning tools in the specified online resources.

Tarsals and Metatarsals

  • The tarsals and metatarsals are found in the foot and ankle region, providing both flexibility and strength for various movements.

  • Tarsals:

    • Key Tarsal Bones:

    • Calcaneus (heel bone)

    • Talus

  • Metatarsals:

    • Known as metatarsals, corresponding to fingers (phalanges).

  • Phalanges:

    • Types:

    • Proximal phalanx

    • Middle phalanx

    • Distal phalanx

Activities for Learning Tarsals and Metatarsals

  1. Coloring the Foot Bones:

    • Tarsals: Yellow (highlight calcaneus in orange, talus in red).

    • Metatarsals: Green.

    • Phalanges: Distal phalanx in blue, middle phalanx in turquoise, proximal phalanx in purple.

  2. Online Learning:

    • Engage with anatomical modules and quizzes pertinent to foot and ankle bones.