Anatomy of the Lower Limb Bones

Bones of the Lower Limb

• Femur (thigh bone)
  • Longest bone in the body
  • Divided into proximal, shaft, and distal regions
• Patella (kneecap)
  • Triangular bone embedded in the quadriceps tendon
• Tibia (shin bone)
  • Medial and larger of the two bones in the lower leg
• Fibula
  • Lateral and smaller of the two bones in the lower leg
• Tarsal bones (7)
  • Form the ankle and midfoot
  • Calcaneus (heel bone)
  • Talus (ankle bone)
  • Cuboid
  • Navicular
  • Cuneiform bones (3)
• Metatarsal bones (5)
  • Connect the tarsal bones to the phalanges
• Phalanges (toe bones)
  • 14 bones in total, 2 in the great toe and 3 in each of the other toes

Muscles of the Lower Limb

• Gluteal muscles
  • Gluteus maximus
  • Gluteus medius
  • Gluteus minimus
• Thigh muscles
  • Quadriceps femoris (4 muscles)
  • Hamstrings (3 muscles)
• Lower leg muscles
  • Anterior compartment (4 muscles)
  • Lateral compartment (2 muscles)
  • Posterior compartment (3 muscles)
• Foot muscles
  • Intrinsic muscles (10 muscles)
  • Extrinsic muscles (4 muscles)

Blood Vessels of the Lower Limb

• Femoral artery
  • Main artery of the thigh
• Popliteal artery
  • Continuation of the femoral artery behind the knee
• Tibial arteries (anterior and posterior)
  • Branch off from the popliteal artery
• Dorsalis pedis artery
  • Branch of the anterior tibial artery
• Great saphenous vein
  • Largest superficial vein in the thigh
• Small saphenous vein
  • Smaller superficial vein in the lower leg
• Deep veins
  • Accompany the arteries of the lower limb

Nerves of the Lower Limb

• Sciatic nerve
  • Largest nerve in the body
  • Runs from the lower back to the back of the knee
• Tibial nerve
  • Branch of the sciatic nerve
  • Supplies the lower leg and foot
• Common peroneal nerve
  • Branch of the sciatic nerve
  • Supplies the lateral and anterior compartments of the lower leg
• Saphenous nerve
  • Branch of the femoral nerve
  • Supplies the medial aspect of the lower leg
• Plantar nerves
  • Branches of the tibial nerve
  • Supply the sole of the foot

Bones of the Lower Limb

• Femur is the longest bone in the body, divided into proximal, shaft, and distal regions.
• Patella is a triangular bone embedded in the quadriceps tendon, acting as a kneecap.
• Tibia is the medial and larger bone in the lower leg.
• Fibula is the lateral and smaller bone in the lower leg.
• The 7 tarsal bones form the ankle and midfoot, consisting of calcaneus, talus, cuboid, navicular, and 3 cuneiform bones.
• The 5 metatarsal bones connect the tarsal bones to the phalanges.
• The 14 phalanges (toe bones) include 2 in the great toe and 3 in each of the other toes.

Muscles of the Lower Limb

• Gluteal muscles consist of gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus.
• Quadriceps femoris is a group of 4 muscles in the thigh.
• Hamstrings are 3 muscles in the thigh.
• Anterior compartment of the lower leg has 4 muscles.
• Lateral compartment of the lower leg has 2 muscles.
• Posterior compartment of the lower leg has 3 muscles.
• Intrinsic muscles of the foot number 10, while extrinsic muscles number 4.

Blood Vessels of the Lower Limb

• Femoral artery is the main artery of the thigh.
• Popliteal artery is the continuation of the femoral artery behind the knee.
• Tibial arteries (anterior and posterior) branch off from the popliteal artery.
• Dorsalis pedis artery is a branch of the anterior tibial artery.
• Great saphenous vein is the largest superficial vein in the thigh.
• Small saphenous vein is a smaller superficial vein in the lower leg.
• Deep veins accompany the arteries of the lower limb.

Nerves of the Lower Limb

• Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower back to the back of the knee.
• Tibial nerve supplies the lower leg and foot, and is a branch of the sciatic nerve.
• Common peroneal nerve supplies the lateral and anterior compartments of the lower leg, and is a branch of the sciatic nerve.
• Saphenous nerve supplies the medial aspect of the lower leg, and is a branch of the femoral nerve.
• Plantar nerves supply the sole of the foot, and are branches of the tibial nerve.