BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB

Bones of the lower limb 360-degree interactive viewer showing complete lower limb skeleton with pelvic girdle, femur, tibia, fibula, and foot bones

Bones of the Lower Limb - Overview, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

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

Pelvic girdle 360-degree viewer showing hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx articulations

Pelvic Girdle, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

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

Free lower limb bones 360-degree viewer showing femur, tibia, fibula, patella, and ankle bones

Bones of the Free Lower Limb, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

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

Foot bones 360-degree viewer showing tarsal bones, metatarsals, and phalanges

Foot Bones, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.

QUICK FACTS: BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB

Key questions answered about this anatomy topic

Q: What are the two main components of the lower limb bones?

Answer: Pelvic girdle and bones of the free part of the lower limb. The lower limb bones are composed of two main components: the pelvic girdle (hip bones, sacrum, coccyx) and the bones of the free part of the lower limb (femur, tibia, fibula, patella, and foot bones).

Q: What bones make up the pelvic girdle?

Answer: Hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx. The pelvic girdle is composed of the hip bones on each side, the sacrum, and the coccyx. Together these structures support the attachment of the lower limbs.

Q: What is the primary function of the pelvic girdle?

Answer: To support attachment of the lower limbs. The pelvic girdle's primary function is to support the attachment of the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.

Q: How many parts form the hip bone?

Answer: Three parts. The hip bone is formed by three parts: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. These bones fuse together during development to form the adult hip bone.

Q: Which bone is the longest and most robust in the human skeleton?

Answer: Femur. The femur is the longest and most robust bone in the human skeleton. It serves as the principal support for body weight.

Want to test yourself? Try the interactive quiz above!

⋮⋮ Lower Limb Quiz
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