Lower Extremity Flashcards
What is the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the body?
The femur.
What is the second strongest bone in the body?
The tibia.
What does the femur articulate with?
Proximally, the acetabulum of the coxa
Distally, the condyles of the tibia
Where does the head of the femur articulate?
Fits in the acetabulum of the coxal bone
What is the neck of the femur?
Distal to head
Who tend to fracture the femur, and where?
The elderly
At the neck of the femur
What is the fovea capitis of the femur?
A “central pit” in the femoral head
What is in the fovea capitis and what is its function?
Houses “round ligament” (ligamentum capitis femoris) that helps secure femur
Artery in round ligament supplies blood to the femoral head
What is the greater trochanter of the femur?
A more lateral and superior projection from the superior femur
What is the lesser trochanter of the femur?
A posterior projection from the superior femur
What attaches to the greater and lesses trochanters of the femur?
The muscles of the butt and thigh
What is the intertrochanteric crest of the femur?
On posterior aspect, very thick; divides neck from shaft
What is the intertrochanteric line of the femur?
Anterior aspect, not as thick; divides neck from shaft
What is the linea aspera of the femur?
Vertical ridge on the posterior shaft for the attachment of muscle
What is the purpose of the medial epicondyle of the femur?
Muscle attachment
What is the purpose of the lateral epicondyle of the femur?
Muscle attachment
What is the purpose of the medial and lateral condyles of the femur?
Articulates with the tibia
What is the intercondylar fossa of the femur?
Posterior only, notch between the medial and lateral condyles
The greater ________ of the humerus is lateral, and the greater __________ of the femur is lateral.
Tubercle
Trochanter
The lesser tubercle of the humerus is __________, and the lesser trochanter of the femur is ____________.
Anterior
Posterior
The patella is a ________ shaped _________ bone
Triangular
Sesamoid
What is the patella enclosed in?
The distal tendon (some say ligament) of the quadriceps femoris muscle
What is on the posterior patella and what is its function?
Two fossas for articulation with the medial and lateral condyles of the femur
What is the “purpose” of the patella?
Improves leverage of the thigh muscles acting across the knee
Less contraction force is needed to move the thigh
What is a concern for the patellas of young female athletes?
It can track laterally
The tibia is more _________ than the fibula and is the only ____________ bone in the lower leg.
Medial
Weight bearing
The medial and lateral condyles of the tibia are located on?
On broad, proximal end, articulate with femur
What is the intercondylar eminence of the tibia?
Upward projection of bone between the two condyles
What is the tibial tuberosity?
A “lump anterior” a raised area where quadriceps femoris inserts
What is the medial malleolus and what does it articulate with?
Distal bulge of bone felt on medial ankle
Articulates with the talus distally
What shape is the diaphysis of the tibia?
Triangular
In general, the fibula is…. (location and function)
Parallel and lateral to the tibia in the lower leg
Non-weight bearing
What is the head of the fibula?
Proximal portion of bone
What is the apex of the fibula?
Point of the head of the fibula
What is the lateral malleolus and what doe it articulate with?
Lateral bulge of bone on the lateral ankle
Articulates with the talus
What is the proximal tibiofibular joint?
Where the fibula articulates with the tibia proximally
What is the distal tibiofibular joint?
Where the fibula articulates with the tibia distally
What is between the tibia and fibula?
An interosseous membrane
How many tarsal bones are there?
7
What is the talus?
The most superior tarsal bone
What does the talus articulate with?
The tibia and fibula
Describe weight transfer while walking, starting with the talus.
The talus starts with 100% of the weight while walking. Then 50% of weight goes aft to the calcaneus, and 50% goes forward to the arch of the foot.
What is the calcaneus?
Forms the heel of the foot
What is the largest tarsal bone?
The calcaneus
What attaches posteriorly to the calcaneus?
The achilles tendon
What is the navicular bone?
Anterior to talus, medial side
What is the cuboid bone?
Looks like a cube, on lateral side
What are the names of the cuneiform bones?
1st 2nd 3rd
Medial Intermediate Lateral
How many metatarsals are there?
5
What do the metatarsals articulate with proximally?
I, II,III the cuneiform bones
IV and V with the cuboid
How many flanges are there in the foot? And how are they organized?
14 and just like the hand.
What is the big toe called? How many phalanges?
Hallux
2
What are the arches of the foot?
Longitudinal arch: weight transfer occurs here
Transverse arch: Curvature from the medial to the lateral
What maintains the arches of the foot?
Short, strong ligaments
