Human Lower Limb Bones

The Bones of the Lower Limb

• The lower limb consists of the femur, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges.
• The femur is the bone of the thigh.
• The tibia and fibula make up the bones of the leg.
• The foot is composed of tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges.

The Pelvic Girdle

• The pelvic girdle is formed by the two hip bones that articulate with the sacrum at the posterior.
• The hip bones are part of the axial skeleton.

Types of Bones

Morphology-Based Classification

• Long bones have two ends and a shaft, examples include the femur and humerus.
• Short bones include carpal and tarsal bones.
• Flat bones include the scapula and bones of the skull vault.
• Irregular bones include vertebrae and bones of the skull base.
• Pneumatic bones contain air-filled spaces, such as the maxilla and frontal bones.
• Sesamoid bones develop inside tendons, examples include the patella and pisiform bone.
• Sutural bones are small bones found within the sutural lines of the skull.

Structure-Based Classification

• Compact bone forms the outer hard layer.
• Spongy bone forms the inner delicate trabeculated layer.

Development-Based Classification

• Membrane bones develop in dense membranes of mesodermal tissue.
• Cartilage bones develop in preformed cartilaginous models.

Learn about the bones of the lower limb, including the femur, tibia, fibula, and bones of the foot and pelvic girdle.