Chapter 6: The Lower Limb Flashcards
- attached to the axial skeleton via the sacro-iliac joint
- separated from the abdomen, back, and perineum via a continuous line
lower limb
what is the lower limb divided into?
- gluteal
- thigh
- leg
- foot
posterior region of lower limb
gluteal region
extends to the pelvis
anterior thigh
important transitions between regions of lower limb
- femoral triangle
- popliteal fossa
- tarsal tunnel
contains major blood vessels of the lower limb and one of the major nerves (the femoral)
femoral triangle
pass between the thigh and leg through the popliteal fossa
major vessels and nerves
pass between the leg and foot through the tarsal tunnel
Most nerves and vessels and flexor tendons
major function is support of the body with little energy expenditure
lower limb
center of gravity is just anterior to vertebrae SII
standing erect
how is energy expenditure reduced while standing?
Hip and particularly knee joints can “lock” while standing
second function of the lower limb
locomotion
what are the movements at the hips?
- flexion
- extension
- abduction
- adduction
- medial and lateral rotation
- circumduction
is primarily a hinge joint that flexes and extends
the knee
what are the movements at the ankle?
- dorsiflexion
- plantar flexion
what anatomical features work together to maximized efficiency of walking by reducing the amount that the body’s center of gravity moves?
- Pelvic rotation minimizes a drop
- Movement of knees to the midline reduces a lateral shift
- Knee flexion minimizes a rise
- Pelvic tilt minimizes a rise
how much does the body’s center of gravity fluctuate?
only 5 cm in the vertical and lateral planes
bones of the gluteal region
- hip
- femur
joint between hip and femur
large ball and socket joint
- the bone of the thigh, it articulates with the leg at the knee joint
- shares an articular cavity with the patella
femur
the principle articulation of the knee
joint between the femur and tibia
bones of the leg
- tibia
- fibula
large and weight bearing
tibia
lateral and does not take part in the knee joint nor bear any weight
fibula