Lower Limb

Question 1

Lower limb consists of 30 bones …

Answer 1

femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones (7), metatarsals (5), phalanges (14)

Question 2

Describe the femur and its articulations - 4 points

Answer 2

longest, strongest, heaviest bone, proximally articulates with acetabulum of pelvis, distally articulates with tibia and patella, proximal end = rounded head and its this + acetabulum that creates the hip joint

Question 3

fovea capitis - description and purpose - 3 points

Answer 3

depression in the head of the femur, provides point of attachment for ligament of head of femur, connects femur to acetabulum

Question 4

neck of femur - 3 points

Answer 4

constricted region, found distal to head, often site of fracture

Question 5

Greater & Lesser Trochanters - where found and description

Answer 5

projections from junction of neck and shaft of femur,
lesser trochanter = inferior and medial to greater trochanter
Greater trochanter = easily distinguished and palpable

Question 6

Intertrochanteric Line

Answer 6

lies between anterior surfaces of trochanters

Question 7

Intertrochanteric Crest

Answer 7

between posterior surfaces of trochanters

Question 8

Purpose of the trochanters

Answer 8

attachment for tendons of thigh and buttock muscles

Question 9

Gluteal Tuberoscity and Linea Aspera - 4 points

Answer 9

inferior to intertrochanteric crest, vertical ridge, and the line aspera which is part of the shaft of the femur, point of attachment for tendons of some thigh muscles

Question 10

Describe the shaft of the femur and the differences between male and females - 3 points

Answer 10

shaft angles medially, brings knee joint closer to midline, angle = greater in females due to broader pelvis

Question 11

Describe the distal end of the femur - 2 points

Answer 11

expanded distal end, features femoral medial & lateral condyles which articulate with tibial medial & lateral condyles

Question 12

What are the 2 names given for between the femoral condyles at the distal end of the femur, anterior and posterior

Answer 12

Anterior = patella surface
Posterior = intercondylar fossa

Question 13

collateral ligaments in the knee attach to …

Answer 13

medial and lateral epicondyles - found superior to condyles of femur

Question 14

Anterior & posterior cruciate ligaments - where found and purpose

Answer 14

major in the knee, maintain anteroposterior relationship of distal femur and proximal tibia during flexion and extension

Question 15

Describe the Patella

Answer 15

small, triangular, sesamoid bone, anterior to knee joint, develops in tendon of quadriceps femoris muscle

Question 16

Base of the patella

Answer 16

broad proximal end

Question 17

Apex of the patella

Answer 17

pointed distal end

Question 18

Describe the articular facet of the patella

Answer 18

on the posterior, articulate with femoral condyles (medial & lateral), creates the patella-femoral joint between posterior surface of patella and the patella surface of the femur

Question 19

Purpose of the Patella

Answer 19

protects the knee joint, increases the leverage and maintains position of the tendon and quadriceps femoris muscle when the knee is flexed

Question 20

Describe the tibia - 4 points

Answer 20

larger/more medial than the fibula, the weight-bearing bone of the two, connected to fibula by interosseous membrane, has a medial & lateral condyle proximally where it articulates with the condyles of the femur - medial & lateral tibio-femoral joints

Question 21

Describe the tibia’s articulation with the fibula

Answer 21

the inferior surface of the lateral tibial condyle articulates with the head of the fibula - proximal tibiofibular joint

Question 22

Intercondylar eminence

Answer 22

an upward projection separating the condyles on the tibia posteriorly

Question 23

tibial tuberoscity

Answer 23

a prominence on the anterior aspect of the proximal tibia

Question 24

medial malleolus - where found, articulates with

Answer 24

on the distal, medial surface of the tibia, articulates with the talus of the ankle

Question 25

fibular notch - 3 points

Answer 25

found on the tibia, articulates with the distal end of the fibula, forms the distal tibiofibular joint

Question 26

Describe the fibula

Answer 26

lies parallel and later to the tibia

Question 27

Describe the fibula's articulations with the femur/tibia/talus

Answer 27

doesn't articulate with the femur, articulates proximally with the lateral condyle of the tibia - proximal tibiofibular joint, distal end has a projection = lateral malleolus which articulates with the talus of the ankle

Question 28

Purpose of the fibula

Answer 28

helps stabilise the ankle joint

Question 29

7 tarsal bones - anterior

Answer 29

navicular, 3x Cuneiform - medial, intermediate, lateral, cuboid

Question 30

7 tarsal bones - posterior

Answer 30

Talus, calcaneus

Question 31

Describe the Intertarsal joints

Answer 31

joints between the tarsal bones

Question 32

Describe the Talus - 3 points

Answer 32

most superior, articulates with tibia & fibula at the medial & lateral malleolli = talocrural joint - during walking, half the weigh transmitted through the talus to the calcaneum, the rest is distributed to remaining tarsal bones

Question 33

Describe the metatarsals - 3 points

Answer 33

form the intermediate portion of the foot, numbered I-V from medial to lateral, 1st = thickest because it bears more weight

Question 34

Describe the parts of the metatarsals and their articulations - 3 points

Answer 34

each metatarsal has a proximal base, shaft and a distal head, articulate proximally with all the cuneiform bones and the cuboid - forming tarso-metatarsal joints, articulate distally with the phalanges forming metatarso-phalangeal joints

Question 35

Describe fractures found in the metatarsals and how - 3 points

Answer 35

fractures are common at the base of the 5th metatarsal, this is where the peroneus brevis tendon lies, when this tendon is wrenched from the bone in an inversion injury it can pull bone fragment with it

Question 36

Describe phalanges - 3 points

Answer 36

form most distal component in the foot, numbered I-V from medial to lateral, each has a proximal base, intermediate shaft and a distal head

Question 37

Describe the Hallux and compare with the other phalanges - 2 points

Answer 37

Otherwise known as the Big Toe, this is 2 large phalanges (proximal and distal), other 4 toes have 3 phalanges (proximal, intermediate and distal)

Question 38

Describe the Inter-phalangeal Joints

Answer 38

joints between the phalanges

Question 39

Describe the 2 arches of the foot - 2 points

Answer 39

longitudinal and transverse arches, arranged by ligaments and tendons

Question 40

Role of arches in the foot - 3 points

Answer 40

support & evenly distribute weight of body, provide leverage when walking, absorb shock when walking/running