Lower Limb
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Irfan Dotani
Lower limb bony structures
Parts | Function | Image | |
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Hip | Ilium | The ilium forms the sacroiliac joint with the sacrum along its medial side and forms the superior end of the hip joint at the acetabulum. The sacroiliac joint is a planar joint that allows a slight degree of gliding between the pelvis and the spinal column. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that permits the thigh to have a free range of motion. | |
Ischium | Forms the lower and back part of the hip bone. | ||
Pubic Bone | The ventral and anterior of the three parts that come together to create the pelvic bone. | ||
Acetabulum | A cup-shaped opening on each side of the pelvic girdle formed where the ischium, ilium, and pubis all meet, and into which the head of the femur inserts. | ||
Foramen obturatum | The large opening created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and blood vessels pass. |
Parts | Function | Image | |
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Knee | Femur | Supports the weight of the body and allowing motion of the leg. The femur articulates proximally with the acetabulum of the pelvis forming the hip joint, and distally with the tibia and patella to form the knee joint. | |
Tibia | It forms the knee joint with the femur and the ankle joint with the fibula and tarsus. | ||
Patella | The patella increases the leverage that the quadriceps tendon can exert on the femur by increasing the angle at which it acts. Also acts as protection for the muscles underneath the patella. |
Parts | Function | Image | |
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Ankle | Fibula | Long, thin and lateral bone of the lower leg. It runs parallel to the tibia, or shin bone, and plays a significant role in stabilizing the ankle and supporting the muscles of the lower leg. | |
Tibula | Known as the shinbone and is the second largest bone in the body. Helps with weight-bearing and stabilization. | ||
Talus | The talus bone forms the primary connection between the lower leg and foot and is vital for mobility. In fact, the structure of the talus bone is so unique it can form the connection between numerous other bones such as the tibia, fibula, calcaneus (heel) and navicular or tarsal bones found in the foot. | ||
Medial malleolus | The medial malleolus is the prominence on the inner side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the tibia. | ||
Lateral malleolus | The lateral malleolus is the prominence on the outer side of the ankle, formed by the lower end of the tibia. |
Parts | Function | Image | |
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Thigh | Femur | Supports the weight of the body and allowing motion of the leg. The femur articulates proximally with the acetabulum of the pelvis forming the hip joint, and distally with the tibia and patella to form the knee joint. | |
Tibia | It forms the knee joint with the femur and the ankle joint with the fibula and tarsus. | ||
Fibula | Long, thin and lateral bone of the lower leg. It runs parallel to the tibia, or shin bone, and plays a significant role in stabilizing the ankle and supporting the muscles of the lower leg. |
Parts | Function | Image | |
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Foot | Phalanges | The phalanges of the foot help us balance, walk, and run. | |
Metatarsals | Metatarsals are convex in shape (arch upward), are long bones, and give the foot its arch. They work with connective tissues, ligaments, and tendons to provide movement in the foot | ||
Cuneiform bones | This bone is cube-shaped and connects the foot and the ankle. It also provides stability to the foot. | ||
Cuboid bone | The cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones located on the lateral (outer) side of the foot. This bone is cube-shaped and connects the foot and the ankle. It also provides stability to the foot. | ||
Navicular bone | The navicular is a boat-shaped bone located in the top inner side of the foot, just above the transverse. It helps connect the talus, or anklebone, to the cuneiform bones of the foot |
Lower limb muscles
Muscle | Function | Insertion/Arise | Innervation | Blood supply | Image | |
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Hip | Piriformis |
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Piriformis nerve:
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Superior gemellus |
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Inferior gemellus |
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Tensor fasciae latae |
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Sartorius |
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Gluteus medius |
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Gluteus minimus |
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Gluteus maximus |
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Muscle | Function | Insertion/Arise | Innervation | Blood supply | Image | |
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Knee | Quadratus Femoris |
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Gastrocnemius muscle |
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Vastus medialis |
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Vastus lateralis muscle |
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Popliteus |
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Soleus |
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Muscle | Function | Insertion/Arise | Innervation | Blood supply | Image | |
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Ankle | Anterior tibial |
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Posterior tibial |
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Extensor Digitorum Longus |
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Extensor Hallucis Longus |
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Flexor Digitorum Longus |
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Flexor Hallucis Longus |
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