Intro to lower extremity Flashcards
The lower limbs are extensions from the trunk designed for?
stability and weight bearing and to aid in locomotion
which ligament is anterior and provides a clear line of demarcation between trunk and lower extremity ?
the inguinal ligament
what is notable about the gluteal region?
it is posterior and a transitional zone
why is the gluteal region considered a transitional zone?
because it physically is part of the trunk but functionally part of the lower extremity
what is the gluteal region a necessity for with humans?
bipedalism. allowing for the abductors of the thigh to be placed superiorly
during embryonic development both limbs develop in which order?
cranial to caudal
torsion around the long axis is in what directions?
opposite (the upper limb rotating laterally and the lower limb rotating medially)
what is the time difference during embryonic development of the lower limb budding from the trunk compared to the upper limbs?
lower limbs bud one week later than upper (around week 6)
for bipedalism what is accompanied with the elongation of the lower extremity?
internal rotation
is the elongation of upper extremity and lower extremity accompanied with the same rotation?
no its internal for lower
how does internal rotation effect the lower extremities?
the knee and all distal joints flex posteriorly
what are the major contributors to the lower extremity?
segments L2-S2
what comprises the pelvic girdle?
the sacrum, part of the vertebral column, and the os coxae
what is the os coxae composed of?
3 fused pelvic bones (ilium, ischium, and pubis)
what articulates with the head of the femur?
acetabulum
how is the acetabulum formed?
by contributions from all 3 pelvic bones
what is the longest and heaviest bone in the body?
the femur
where does the femur transmit weight?
from the hip bone to the tibial plateau
List the prominent features of the femur?
head, neck, greater tubercle, lesser tubercle, and large condyles
what is the angle of inclination?
obtuse angle between the axis of the head/neck of the femur and the shaft (approx 126º) important for bipedalism
what is the torsion angle?
the difference between the axes of the femoral neck and femoral condyles when viewed along the longitudinal axis. important for bipedalism
list how body weight transferred?
from the vertebral column through the sacroiliac joints to the pelvic girdle and from the pelvic girdle to the hip joints, and onto the femurs
why do the femurs descend obliquely?
so their distal ends are medially placed
what do the intercondylar fossa align with?
the middle of the femoral head on the line of gravity
what is the only thing the femoral condyle articulates with?
tibia
T/F: the fibula does not play a role in weight bearing
true only an attachment point for muscles
at the ankle what articulates with the leg bones?
only the talus