Osteology of Lower Limb

Osteology of Lower Limb

• The lower limb's skeletal system comprises various bones and joints
• Key bones include the hip, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, and foot
• The femur is the thigh's largest, longest, and strongest bone
• The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum
• It has a small fovea capitis where the ligamentum teres secures the head in the acetabulum
• The patella is a triangular, sesamoid bone in the patellar tendon
• It attaches the quadriceps femoris muscle to the tibia.
• The tibia is the weight-bearing bone on the medial side of the lower leg
• It has medial and lateral condyles, intercondylar eminence, and fibular facet
• The tibia also has tibial tuberosity, anterior crest (shin), medial malleolus, and fibular notch
• The fibula is a slender bone on the lower leg's lateral side
• It has an enlarged proximal head that articulates with the fibular facet of the tibia
• The fibula's shaft or body is long and slender
• It has a large lateral malleolus distal end that articulates with the talus
• The lower limb also has specific joints for movements
• The hip joint is a synovial ball and socket joint
• The knee joint is a synovial hinge joint
• The superior tibiofibular joint is a synovial plane joint
• The inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis is a compound fibrous joint

Hip Bone

• The hip bone, or coxal bone, is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis
• Key features of the hip include the iliac crest, a thick upper margin
• It forms the iliac fossa, a smooth anterior surface
• The anterior superior/inferior and posterior superior/inferior iliac spines are also important landmarks
• The gluteal lines and greater sciatic notch are additional features
• The auricular surface is a significant articulation point
• The pubis has a superior/inferior ramus, pubic crest and tubercle, site of attachment for abdominal muscles
• Pubic symphysis connects the two pubic bones together
• Pubic arch helps determine male vs. female pelvis
• The ischium has a tuberosity where the hamstring muscles attach
• Ischial spine is a site for ligament attachment
• Obturator foramen is a hole for nerves and blood vessels
• Ischial ramus connects with the inferior ramus of the pubis

Femur

• The femur's head articulates with the acetabulum, having a fovea capitis
• It has anatomical features such as the neck, intertrochanteric line, lesser trochanter, intertrochanteric crest, pectineal line, gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, medial and lateral epicondyles, patellar groove, medial and lateral condyles, and intercondylar fossa