Human leg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In common usage, a human leg is the lower limb of the body, extending from the hip to the ankle, and including the thigh, the knee, and the cnemis.[1] The largest bone in the human body, the femur, is in the leg.
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[edit] Terminology
In human anatomical terms, the leg is the part of the lower limb[2] that lies between the knee and the ankle.[3][4] This article generally follows the common usage.
The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis (nee'mis) or crus[5]. The calf is the back portion and the shin is the front.
Legs are often used metaphorically in many cultures to indicate either strength or mobility. The supporting columns of an object may be referred to as legs as well, as in chair legs.
[edit] Function and cultural aspects
Legs are often used for standing, walking, jumping, running, kicking, and similar activities, and are a significant portion of a person's mass.
Adolescent and adult females in many Western cultures often remove the hair from their legs. Toned, tanned, shaved legs are sometimes perceived as a sign of youthfulness and are often considered attractive in these cultures.
[edit] Anatomy
[edit] Long bones of the lower limb
[edit] Muscles of the human lower limb
[edit] Muscles of the thigh
Anterior compartment of the thigh
- Quadriceps femoris, which is composed of:
- Sartorius
- Tensor fascia lata
Medial compartment of the thigh
Posterior compartment of the thigh
[edit] Muscles of the cnemis
The anterior compartment
The posterior compartment
- Gastrocnemius (attached to the calcaneus by Achilles' tendon)
- Plantaris
- Soleus
The deep posterior compartment
The lateral compartment
[edit] Vasculature of the leg
[edit] The arteries
- Femoral artery
- Profunda femoris
- Superficial femoral artery
- Popliteal artery
- Tibial artery
- Fibular artery
- Arcuate artery
[edit] The veins
- Greater saphenous vein
- Lesser saphenous vein
- Femoral vein
- Popliteal vein
- Anterior tibial vein
- Posterior tibial vein
- Fibular vein
[edit] See also
- Distraction osteogenesis (leg lengthening)
[edit] Additional images
 Female legs |
 The muscles of the human lower leg |
 Lateral aspect of right leg |
[edit] References
- ^ MW Dictionary leg
- ^ Dorlands/Elsevier l_10/12493851
- ^ Dictionary at eMedicine leg
- ^ Dorlands/Elsevier l_06/12482031
- ^ Dorlands/Elsevier c_64/12267973
[edit] External links
HEAD: Skull - Forehead – Eye – Ear – Nose – Mouth – Tongue – Teeth – Jaw – Face – Cheek – Chin
NECK: Throat – Adam's apple - Larynx
TORSO: Shoulders – Spine – Chest – Breast – Ribcage – Abdomen – Navel
LIMBS: Arm – Elbow – Forearm – Wrist – Hand – Finger (Thumb/Index/Middle/Ring/Little) – Leg – Lap – Thigh – Knee – Calf – Heel – Ankle – Foot – Toe (Hallux)
| Joints and ligaments of lower limbs |
|---|
| coxal/hip: iliofemoral - pubofemoral - ischiofemoral - head of femur - transverse acetabular
knee-joint: patellar - popliteal (oblique, arcuate) - collateral (medial/tibial, fibular) - cruciate (anterior, posterior) - menisci (medial, lateral) talocrural/ankle: deltoid - external lateral of the ankle-joint (anterior talofibular - posterior talofibular - calcaneofibular) intertarsal-subtalar/talocalcaneal: anterior talocalcaneal - posterior talocalcaneal - lateral talocalcaneal - medial talocalcaneal - interosseous talocalcaneal intertarsal-talocalcaneonavicular: dorsal talonavicular intertarsal-calcaneocuboid: dorsal calcaneocuboid - bifurcated - long plantar - plantar calcaneocuboid intertarsal-transverse tarsal: plantar calcaneonavicular/spring cuneonavicular, cuboideonavicular, intercuneiform and cuneocuboid, tarsometatarsal/Lisfranc, intermetatarsal, metatarsophalangeal, interphalangeal |
thigh femoral - profunda femoris - popliteal
deep leg fibular - anterior tibial - posterior tibial - superficial leg small saphenous - great saphenous (extends to thigh)
foot dorsal arch - dorsal digital - plantar arch - plantar metatarsal - common digital - plantar digital
| General anatomy of lower limbs |
|---|
| Buttocks and Thigh:
Inguinal ligament - Obturator membrane - Femoral ring - Femoral canal - Femoral sheath - Femoral triangle - Adductor canal - Adductor hiatus - Fascia lata - Saphenous opening - Iliotibial tract - Fascial compartments of thigh (Anterior, Medial, Posterior) Cnemis (anatomic leg): Popliteal fossa - Calf – Shin - Pes anserinus - Fascial compartments of leg (Anterior, Lateral, Posterior) Foot: Heel – Plantar fascia - Toe (Hallux, Fifth toe) - Sole - Achilles tendon - Tarsal tunnel - Retinacula (Peroneal, Inferior extensor, Superior extensor) |
