Lower limb

🦵 Lower Limb Flashcards

Front: Femur (2)
Back:
Definition: The only bone of the thigh and the largest, strongest bone in the body.
Function: Supports body weight and allows leg movement.
💡 Think: Femur = “firm” bone = strongest!

Front: Head of femur
Back:
Definition: Rounded ball-like top of the femur.
Function: Fits into the acetabulum to form the hip joint.
💡 It’s the “ball” in the hip’s ball-and-socket joint.

Front: Neck of femur
Back:
Definition: Narrow region just below the head of the femur.
Function: Connects the head to the shaft; helps angle the leg.
💡 The “neck” links the ball to the body of the bone.

Front: Greater and Lesser Trochanters
Back:
Definition: Bony projections near the top of the femur.
Function: Attachment sites for hip muscles.
💡 Greater = lateral, bigger bump; Lesser = smaller and lower.

Front: Medial and Lateral Condyles of Femur
Back:
Definition: Large rounded surfaces at the bottom (distal) end of femur.
Function: Articulate with tibia at the knee; bear body weight.
💡 Condyles = “knuckles” that roll during knee movement.

Front: Medial and Lateral Epicondyles of Femur
Back:
Definition: Small bumps just above the condyles.
Function: Muscle attachment points near the knee.
💡 Epi = “above” the condyles.

Front: Intercondylar Fossa
Back:
Definition: Deep notch between the condyles on the back of the femur.
Function: Holds ligaments that connect femur and tibia.
💡 “Inter” = between; “fossa” = groove.

Front: Patella
Back:
Definition: Kneecap bone embedded in a tendon.
Function: Protects the knee joint and improves leverage of thigh muscles.
💡 Patella = protector of the knee.

Front: Tibia (2)
Back:
Definition: Thick, medial leg bone (shin bone).
Function: Bears most of the body’s weight.
💡 Tibia = “tough” weight-bearing bone.

Front: Medial and Lateral Condyles of Tibia
Back:
Definition: Top parts of the tibia that meet the femur.
Function: Support weight and form part of the knee joint.
💡 They match the condyles of the femur!

Front: Tibial Tuberosity
Back:
Definition: Raised area on front of tibia below the knee.
Function: Patellar ligaments attach here.
💡 Where your kneecap tendon connects!

Front: Medial Malleolus
Back:
Definition: Bump on the inside (medial side) of the ankle.
Function: Ligament attachment at the ankle joint.
💡 “Malleolus” = ankle bump; this one’s on the tibia.

Front: Fibula (2)
Back:
Definition: Slender, lateral bone of the lower leg.
Function: Doesn’t bear weight but supports muscles.
💡 Fibula = “fine” and skinny — not weight-bearing.

Front: Lateral Malleolus
Back:
Definition: Outer bump of the ankle (distal end of fibula).
Function: Holds leg and foot bones together at the ankle.
💡 Outer ankle bump = fibula!