BONES OF THE LOWER LIMBS
The lower pelvic girdle connects the bones of the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.
The femur is the longest bone in the body and is also the only bone in the thigh. 23 different muscles attach or insert into the femur.
The patella or knee cap as it is more commonly known, is located anterior to the knee joint. The patella is a sesamoid type of bone due to its position within the quadriceps tendon. It is also the largest sesamoid bone in the body and 4 muscles attach here.
The tibia or the shin bone as it is more commonly known, is the main bone of the lower leg. The tibia is also the second largest bone in the body and is a key weight bearing structure. 10 muscles attach here.
The fibula can also be found in the lower leg however it is does not serve as a weight bearing bone, instead, it only serves as an attachment point for muscles. 10 muscles attach here.
The tarsals, metatarsals and phalanges are the bones found in the foot, they provide mechanical support for the soft tissues and help the foot withstand the weight of the body while stationary and in motion. The foot can be further divided into 3 regions:
Hindfoot - talus and calcaneus
Midfoot - navicular, cuboid, cuneiforms
Forefoot - metatarsals and phalanges.
