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Department of Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences: Human Structure Module
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  9. Bones of the Lower Limb

Bones of the Lower Limb

Listed in Proximal to Distal Order

BoneStructureDescriptionNotes
pubisan angulated bone the forms the anterior part of the pelvisone of three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis; its body
forms 1/5 of the acetabulum; its symphyseal surface unites with the pubis of
the opposite side to form the pubic symphysis; the superior and inferior pubic
rami participate in the formation of the obturator foramen
bodysuperolateral portion of the pubis the body of the pubis forms about 1/5 of the acetabulum
pubic crestridge on the superior border of the superior ramusattachment of rectus abdominis & pyramidalis mm.
pubic tubercleprocess at the lateral end of pubic crestattachment point of the medial end of the inguinal ligament
superior ramussuperior "limb" that passes medially from the body of the pubisarticulates with the superior ramus of the opposite side at the pubic symphysis
pectenridge on superior surface of the superior pubic ramusattachment point of the pectineal ligament
inferior ramusinferior "limb" that passes inferolaterally from the pubic symphysisarticulates with the ischial ramus to form the ischiopubic ramus; attachment
site for the root of the penis (clitoris)
obturator groovegroove on the inferior surface of the superior pubic ramusmarks the area of passage of the obturator vessels and n. in the obturator
canal
ischium the "V"- shaped bone that forms the posteroinferior part of the
pelvis
one of the three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis
 ischial ramusthe limb of the ischium that passes anteriorly and superomedially toward
the pubis
it articulates with the inferior ramus of the pubis
bodythe part of the ischium that participates in the formation of the acetabulumit articulates with the ilium and the pubis at the acetabulum; the body
of the ischium forms 2/5 of the acetabulum
ischial tuberositythe roughened projection that protrudes posteroinferiorly from the body
of the ischium
it is the site of attachment of the sacrotuberous ligament; it is the site
of origin of the inferior gemellus m., quadratus femoris m. and the hamstring
mm. (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, long head of biceps femoris, ischiocondylar
portion of the adductor magnus)
lesser sciatic notchthe notch located between the ischial tuberosity and the ischial spinethe lesser sciatic notch is converted to the lesser sciatic foramen by the
sacrospinous ligament and the sacrotuberous ligament
ischial spinethe spine that arises just superior to the lesser sciatic notchit is the site of attachment of the sacrospinous ligament and the site of
origin of the superior gemellus m.
iliumfan-shaped bone that forms the lateral prominence of the pelvisone of three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis
bodythe portion of the ilium that participates in the formation of the acetabulumthe body of the ilium forms 2/5 of the acetabulum
iliac crestarching superior edge the ilium that forms the rim of the "fan"attachment for abdominal wall muscles
iliac fossabroad depression on the medial surface of the iliumiliac fossa is part of the false (greater) pelvis
iliac tubercleroughened area along the outer edge of the iliac crest
anterior superior iliac spinespine at the anterior end of the iliac crestlateral attachment of the inguinal ligament
posterior superior iliac spinespine at the posterior end of the iliac crestposition marked by a dimpling of the skin
arcuate lineridge running from anteroinferior to posterosuperior on the inner surface
of the ilium
inferior boundary of the iliac fossa; marks the plane of transition from
abdominal cavity to pelvic cavity
sacrum a triangular bone that is the posterior skeletal element forming the pelvisit is formed by 5 fused vertebrae; the sacrum and two os coxae bones form
the pelvis
basethe superior part of the sacrumthe base of the sacrum includes the articular surface for the fifth lumbar
vertebra and the superior portion of the two ala
promontorya projection of the superior part of the sacrum in an anterior directionthe body of the fifth lumbar vertebra sits on the sacral promontory and
articulates with it through a symphysis
alathe lateral portion of the sacrumpaired; it projects laterally from the body of the sacrum; it represents
the fused costal and transverse processes of the first sacral vertebra
anterior sacral foramina an opening in the anterior surface of the sacrumthere are four pairs; each transmits the ventral primary ramus of the respective
sacral spinal nerve; branches of the lateral sacral aa. Enter the sacral canal
through these openings
posterior sacral foraminaan opening in the posterior surface of the sacrumthere are four pairs; each transmits the dorsal primary ramus of the respective
sacral spinal nerve
sacral canalthe opening in the center of the sacrumit is the continuation of the vertebral canal at sacral vertebral levels
sacral hiatusan opening in the posterior surface of the sacrum in the midlineit is a normal feature that results from the failure of fusion of the laminae
of the fifth sacral segment (and sometimes the fourth) during development
articular surfacethe roughened area located on the lateral surface of the sacrumthis surface articulates with the ilium in the sacroiliac articulation
bodythe central portion of the sacrumthe body is equivalent to the bodies of the other vertebra
basethe superior surface of the sacrumthe base of the sacrum articulates with the fifth lumbar vertebra through
an intervertebral disk
coccyx the most inferior portion of the vertebral columnthe coccyx results from the fusion of the four coccygeal vertebrae; it may
be a single bone or the first coccygeal vertebra may be separated from the
other three; it articulates with the fifth sacral segment; coccygeal vertebrae
are reduced in complexity, having no pedicles, laminae or spines
femur the bone of the thighthe femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body
 headsmooth, rounded proximal endthe head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis
fovea capitis femorisa shallow pit in the head of the femur it is the attachment site of the ligamentum capitis femoris; a small artery
for supply of the head is found within this ligament
neckthe constricted area distal to the head of the femurmost of the blood supply to the head of the femur courses along the surface
of the neck; fractures of the neck of the femur may result in avascular necrosis
of the head
greater trochantera large process that projects superiorly from the junction of the neck and
shaft of the femur
the greater trochanter is the insertion site of the gluteus medius m., gluteus
minimus m., piriformis m. and obturator internus m.
gluteal tuberositya roughened area located on the posterior surface of the femur at the superior
end of the lateral lip of the linea aspera
it is one of the insertion sites of the gluteus maximus m.
lesser trochantera large process that projects from the posteromedial surface of the femur
just distal to neck
it is the insertion site of the common tendon of the psoas major and iliacus
mm. (iliopsoas m.)
trochanteric fossaa depression on the medial side of the greater trochanter on its posterior
surface where the greater trochanter joins the neck
it is the insertion site of the obturator internus m., superior gemellus
m. and inferior gemellus m.
intertrochanteric linea ridge on the anterior surface of the femur that connects the greater and
lesser trochanters
it is the line of attachment of the fibrous joint capsule
intertrochanteric cresta heavy ridge on the posterior surface of the femur that connects the greater
and lesser trochanters
the quadratus femoris m. inserts on the intertrochanteric crest
bodythe long slender shaft of the femurthe linea aspera runs the entire length of the posterior surface of the
body
linea asperaa vertical ridge on posterior surface of the femurit is the insertion site of the medial (adductor) group of thigh muscles
and the origin of the vastus intermedius m. and the short head of the biceps
femoris m.
adductor tuberclea process that projects superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur it is the insertion site of the ischiocondylar part of the adductor magnus
m.
medial epicondylethe enlargement of bone on the medial side of the femur just superior to
the medial condyle
it is the attachment site of the tibial collateral ligament of the knee
joint
lateral epicondylethe enlargement of bone on the lateral side of the femur just superior to
the lateral condyle
it is the attachment site of the fibular collateral ligament and the site
of origin of the popliteus m.
medial condylethe rounded inferior end of the femur on the medial sideit articulates with the medial condyle of the tibia
lateral condylethe rounded inferior end of the femur on the lateral sideit articulates with the lateral condyle of the tibia
intercondylar fossathe deep depression on the posterior surface of the femur between the condylesthe anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are located here
 patellar surfacethe smooth anterior surface at the inferior end of the femurit articulates with the posterior surface the patella
patella the bone that forms the knee capthe patella is a sesamoid bone in the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle;
it provides a protective function by withstanding the grinding forces of the
quadriceps femoris tendon against the patellar surface of the femur, especially
in full knee flexion
tibia the bone on the medial side of the legthe tibia is the weight-bearing bone of the leg
 medial condylethe heavy prominence on the medial side of the proximal end of the tibiathe medial condyle articulates with the medial condyle of the femur; it
is larger than the lateral condyle of the tibia
lateral condylethe heavy prominence on the lateral side of the proximal end of the tibiathe lateral condyle articulates with the lateral condyle of the femur and
with the head of the fibula
intercondylar eminencethe ridge of bone on the proximal end of the tibia that projects between
the condyles
the intercondylar eminence has a medial and a lateral tubercle; it is the
attachment site for the cruciate ligaments, medial meniscus and lateral meniscus
tibial tuberositythe roughened protuberance on the anterior surface of the tibia located
just distal to the condyles
it is the attachment site of the patellar ligament, which represents the
insertion of the quadriceps femoris tendon
bodythe long, robust shaft of the tibiathe medial surface of the body of the tibia is subcutaneous throughout its
length; when the shin is painfully bumped, the nerve endings are stimulated
in the periosteum covering the body of the tibia
interosseous borderthe sharp ridge that runs longitudinally along the junction of the lateral
surface and the posterior surface of the tibia
the interosseous membrane attaches to the interosseous border of the tibia
soleal linea ridge of bone that descends obliquely from lateral to medial on the posterior
surface of the tibia
it is the site of origin of the soleus m.
medial malleolusthe large bony prominence on the medial side of the anklethe medial malleolus of the tibia forms the medial side of the ankle joint;
it articulates with the medial surface of the talus
fibula the slender bone on the lateral side of the legthe fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, it is a muscle attachment bone
 headthe enlarged proximal end of the fibulait articulates with the lateral condyle of tibia; the fibular collateral
ligament of the knee attaches to the head of the fibula
neckthe constricted portion of the fibula located just inferior to the headfractures of the neck of the fibula can injure the common fibular n.
bodythe long slender shaft of the fibulathe interosseous membrane attaches to the entire length of the interosseous
border of the fibula
interosseous borderthe sharp ridge that runs longitudinally along the medial surface of the
fibula
the interosseous membrane attaches to the interosseous border of the fibula
lateral malleolusthe enlarged distal end of the fibulathe lateral malleolus of the fibula forms the lateral side of the ankle
joint; it articulates with the lateral surface of the talus; forcible lateral
displacement of the foot can cause the fibula to fracture superior to the lateral
malleolus, a condition called a Pott's fracture
tarsal bones the bones of the anklethere are seven tarsal bones: talus, calcaneus, navicular, medial cuneiform,
intermediate cuneiform, lateral cuneiform, cuboid
talus the most proximal of the tarsal bonesthe talus articulates with the medial malleolus of the tibia and the lateral
malleolus of the fibula to form the ankle mortise joint
 bodythe proximal part of the talusits superior (trochlear) part participates in the ankle joint and its inferior
part articulates with the calcaneus
 trochleathe superior portion of the body of the talus that lies between the two
malleoli
it has a smooth articular surface; it participates in the formation of the
ankle joint
headthe portion of the talus that projects anteriorlyit articulates with the navicular bone
neckthe constricted part of the talus located proximal to the head
calcaneus the tarsal bone which forms the heelit is the largest and strongest bone in the foot; a fracture of the calcaneus
which separates the tuberosity from the body can be a debilitating injury
 calcaneal tuberositythe posterior roughened area of the calcaneus which contacts the ground
during weight-bearing
it is the insertion site of the calcaneal (Achilles') tendon
sustentaculum talithe shelf-like medial projection of bone located inferior to the medial
malleolus
it is a shelf of bone that articulates with and supports the talus; it is
grooved inferiorly by the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus m.
navicular the tarsal bone located distal to the talus and proximal to the three cuneiform
bones
it articulates with the head of the talus and all three cuneiform bones;
it is the attachment site for an important ligament (plantar calcaneonavicular
or "spring" ligament) that supports the medial longitudinal arch
of the foot
cuneiform, medial the most medial bone in the distal row of tarsal bonesthe cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the
bases of the metatarsal bones distally
cuneiform, middlethe intermediate bone of the three cuneiform bonesthe cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the
bases of the metatarsal bones distally
cuneiform, lateralthe bone that is located between the middle cuneiform and the cuboid bonethe cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the
bases of the metatarsal bones distally
cuboid the most lateral bone in the distal row of tarsal bonesthe cuboid bone articulates with the calcaneus proximally and the fourth
and fifth metatarsal bones distally
metatarsals the bones located between the tarsal bones and the phalangesthere are five metatarsal bones in the foot
basethe proximal end of the metatarsalit articulates with the distal row of tarsal bones
bodythe slender shaft of the metatarsalit is also known as the diaphysis
headthe rounded distal end of the metatarsalit articulates with the proximal phalanx of the corresponding digit
phalanx (phalanges) the distal two or three bones in the digits of the footthere are a total of 14 phalanges in the foot; the great toe has two phalanges
(proximal and distal) and each of the other four toes has three phalanges (proximal,
middle and distal); phalanx means "line of soldiers"
basethe proximal end of the phalanxthe base of the proximal phalanx articulates with the head of the corresponding
metatarsal bone; the base of the middle or distal phalanx articulates with
the head of the next most proximal phalanx
bodythe slender shaft of the phalanxalso known as the diaphysis; the body of the distal phalanx is very short
headthe distal end of the phalanxthe proximal, middle and distal phalanges each have a head; the head of
a proximal or middle phalanx articulates with the base of the next most distal
phalanx
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