Pelvic Girdle and Femur Anatomy Quiz

Pelvic Girdle

• Forms the attachment point for the lower limbs to the axial skeleton.
• Transfers the weight of the upper body to the lower limbs.
• Provides support for the organs within the pelvic cavity.
• Secured by the strongest ligaments in the body to allow articulation with the thigh bone.
•  When the three bones of the pelvis fuse together, they form a deep hemisphere-shaped socket for the femur called the acetabulum.

Os Coxae (Illium, Ischium, Pubis)

• The illium has thickened superior margins called iliac crests.
• The iliac crests have spines that serve as attachment points for muscles of the trunk, hip, and thigh.
• The ischium and pubis are two bones that join at the pubic symphysis.
• The pelvic inlet is narrow in males and broad in females.

Femur

• The largest, thickest, and strongest bone in the body.
• It has a ball-like head that attaches to the acetabulum of the pelvis.
• The proximal end of the femur articulates with the hip, while the distal end (lateral and medial condyles) articulates with the tibia.

Patella

• A triangular, sesamoid bone that protects the kneecap.
• It assists quadriceps muscles in bending and straightening the leg.
• Patellar dislocation is a common occurrence.

Tibia

• Also known as the shinbone.
• Receives weight from the femur.
• The tallest of the two bones in the lower leg.
• The medial malleolus connects with the ankle joint.

Fibula

• Also known as the calf bone.
• Does not bear weight.
• The shortest of the two bones in the lower leg.
• The lateral malleolus connects with the ankle joint.

Foot

• Consists of three parts: tarsus, metatarsus, and phalanges

Tarsus

• Composed of seven tarsal bones.
• The calcaneus forms the heel.
• The talus articulates with the tibia and fibula.

Metatarsus

• Five small long bones called metatarsals.

Phalanges

• Fourteen bones that comprise the toes.
• Each toe (except the big toe) has three phalanges, while the hallux (big toe) only has two.

Pectoral Girdle

• Composed of two bones: clavicle (anteriorly) and scapula (posteriorly).
• Muscles attach the scapula to the thorax and vertebral column.
• The upper limbs are attached to the pectoral girdle.
• Lightweight and allows flexibility and mobility not seen elsewhere in the body.

Clavicle

• Also known as the collarbone.
• The medial (sternal) end is cone-shaped and attaches to the manubrium.
• The lateral (acromial) end is flattened and attaches to the acromion of the scapula.

Scapula

• Also known as the shoulder blade.
• Has three borders.
• The glenoid cavity articulates with the humerus.
• The acromion articulates with the clavicle.
• The scapula has numerous muscles that attach to it, creating the shoulder joint and securing the upper limbs to the trunk.

Humerus

• The proximal end has a hemispherical head that fits into the glenoid cavity of the scapula.
• The distal end has two condyles: a medial trochlea and a lateral ball-shaped capitulum that articulates with the radius (proximal end).
• The humerus lies laterally (thumb side) in anatomical position.

Radius

• Lies laterally (thumb side) in anatomical position.
• The proximal end articulates with the humerus.
• The distal end articulates with the carpal bones.
• The radius articulates with the ulna at the radio-ulnar joint.

Ulna

• Lies medially (pinky side) in anatomical position.
• The radius and ulna are two parallel long bones with distal ends that articulate with the humerus.
• Their distal ends form joints with the wrist.

Carpus

• The wrist.
• Composed of eight marble-size short bones called carpals.

Metacarpus

• The palm.
• Composed of five long bones numbered 1-5 (thumb to little finger).

Phalanges

• The fingers.
• Long bones numbered 1-5 (thumb to little finger).
• Each finger (except the thumb) has three phalanges.
• The thumb (pollex) has only two phalanges.