BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB

OVERVIEW

• The bones of the lower limb are vital for supporting the body and facilitating movement
• They are composed of two main components:
  • The pelvic girdle, which includes the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx
  • The bones of the free part of the lower limb, consisting of the femur, tibia, fibula, patella, and the bones of the foot

PELVIC GIRDLE

Composition

• Hip bones on each side
• Sacrum
• Coccyx

Function

• Supports attachment of the lower limbs

Hip Bone

• Structure:
  • Large, flat, irregular shape
  • Formed by three parts (ilium, ischium, pubis)
• Function:
  • Pairs with the opposite hip bone to form the complete girdle

BONES OF THE FREE PART OF THE LOWER LIMB

Femur

• Structure:
  • Longest and most robust bone in the human skeleton
• Function:
  • Principal support for body weight
  • Contributes to leg mobility and lower limb activities

Patella

• Structure:
  • Largest and most prominent sesamoid bone
• Function:
  • Enhances knee joint mechanics

Tibia

• Location: Inner side of the leg
• Function:
  • Contributes to the knee joint above
  • Contributes to the ankle joint below

Fibula

• Location: Outer side of the tibia
• Function:
  • Provides additional stability to the ankle joint during movement

FOOT BONES

Overview

• Function: Support body weight and enable movement
• Groups:
  • Tarsal Bones (Hindfoot) - Shape the posterior section of the foot and enable functional dynamics
  • Metatarsal Bones (Midfoot) - Five bones forming the central segment of the foot; bear body weight and allow movements involved in walking and balancing
  • Phalanges (Forefoot) - Fourteen bones, arranged similarly to fingers; enable flexibility and movement for foot functions

Tarsal Bones (Hindfoot)

• Function:
  • Shape the posterior section of the foot
  • Enable functional dynamics

Metatarsal Bones (Midfoot)

• Structure:
  • Five bones forming the central segment of the foot
• Function:
  • Bear body weight
  • Allow movements involved in walking and balancing

Phalanges (Forefoot)

• Structure:
  • Fourteen bones, arranged similarly to fingers
• Function:
  • Enable flexibility and movement for foot functions

Sesamoid Bones

• Location:
  • Embedded within tendons, particularly under the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe
• Function:
  • Enhance mechanical efficiency of the foot during walking or running