Anatomy of the Lower Limb

Study Notes

Bones

The lower limb consists of 32 bones that make up the hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot.
The bones of the lower limb include:
- Pelvis (4 bones: ilium, ischium, pubis, and sacrum)
- Femur (thigh bone)
- Patella (kneecap)
- Tibia and fibula (shin bones)
- Tarsal bones (7 bones in the ankle)
- Metatarsal bones (5 bones in the foot)
- Phalanges (toe bones)

Joints

The lower limb has several joints that allow for movement and flexibility:
- Hip joint (ball-and-socket joint between the pelvis and femur)
- Knee joint (hinge joint between the femur and tibia)
- Ankle joint (hinge joint between the tibia and fibula and the talus bone)
- Foot joints ( numerous joints between the tarsal, metatarsal, and phalanges bones)

Muscles

The lower limb has several muscle groups that work together to facilitate movement:
- Hip muscles (gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, and tensor fasciae latae)
- Thigh muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductor magnus)
- Knee muscles (popliteus and gastrocnemius)
- Leg muscles (tibialis anterior, peroneal muscles, and calf muscles)
- Foot muscles (intrinsic muscles of the foot)

Blood Supply

The lower limb receives blood from the following arteries:
- External iliac artery (branches into the femoral artery)
- Femoral artery (branches into the popliteal artery)
- Popliteal artery (branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries)
- Anterior and posterior tibial arteries (supply the lower leg and foot)

Nerve Supply

The lower limb receives nerve supply from the following nerves:
- Sciatic nerve (branches into the tibial and common peroneal nerves)
- Tibial nerve (supplies the lower leg and foot)
- Common peroneal nerve (supplies the lateral aspect of the lower leg and foot)
- Saphenous nerve (supplies the medial aspect of the lower leg)

Bones

The lower limb consists of 32 bones divided into 6 categories: pelvis, femur, patella, tibia and fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges.
The pelvis is composed of 4 bones: ilium, ischium, pubis, and sacrum.
The femur is the longest bone in the lower limb, also known as the thigh bone.
The patella, or kneecap, is a small triangular bone.

Joints

The lower limb has 4 major joints: hip joint, knee joint, ankle joint, and foot joints.
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint between the pelvis and femur, allowing for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, and circumduction.
The knee joint is a hinge joint between the femur and tibia, allowing for flexion and extension.
The ankle joint is a hinge joint between the tibia and fibula and the talus bone, allowing for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion.

Muscles

The lower limb has 5 major muscle groups: hip muscles, thigh muscles, knee muscles, leg muscles, and foot muscles.
The gluteal muscles, iliopsoas, and tensor fasciae latae are responsible for hip movement.
The quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductor magnus are responsible for thigh movement.
The popliteus and gastrocnemius are responsible for knee movement.

Blood Supply

The lower limb receives blood from the external iliac artery, which branches into the femoral artery.
The femoral artery branches into the popliteal artery, which further branches into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
The anterior and posterior tibial arteries supply the lower leg and foot.

Nerve Supply

The lower limb receives nerve supply from the sciatic nerve, which branches into the tibial and common peroneal nerves.
The tibial nerve supplies the lower leg and foot.
The common peroneal nerve supplies the lateral aspect of the lower leg and foot.
The saphenous nerve supplies the medial aspect of the lower leg.

Description

This quiz covers the bones and joints of the lower limb, including the hip, thigh, knee, leg, ankle, and foot. It includes the pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges.