Lower Limb Flashcards
Lower limb consists of 30 bones …
femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones (7), metatarsals (5), phalanges (14)
Describe the femur and its articulations - 4 points
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
fovea capitis - description and purpose - 3 points
depression in the head of the femur, provides point of attachment for ligament of head of femur, connects femur to acetabulum
neck of femur - 3 points
constricted region, found distal to head, often site of fracture
Greater & Lesser Trochanters - where found and description
projections from junction of neck and shaft of femur,
lesser trochanter = inferior and medial to greater trochanter
Greater trochanter = easily distinguished and palpable
Intertrochanteric Line
lies between anterior surfaces of trochanters
Intertrochanteric Crest
between posterior surfaces of trochanters
Purpose of the trochanters
attachment for tendons of thigh and buttock muscles
Gluteal Tuberoscity and Linea Aspera - 4 points
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
Describe the shaft of the femur and the differences between male and females - 3 points
shaft angles medially, brings knee joint closer to midline, angle = greater in females due to broader pelvis
Describe the distal end of the femur - 2 points
expanded distal end, features femoral medial & lateral condyles which articulate with tibial medial & lateral condyles
What are the 2 names given for between the femoral condyles at the distal end of the femur, anterior and posterior
Anterior = patella surface Posterior = intercondylar fossa
collateral ligaments in the knee attach to …
medial and lateral epicondyles - found superior to condyles of femur
Anterior & posterior cruciate ligaments - where found and purpose
major in the knee, maintain anteroposterior relationship of distal femur and proximal tibia during flexion and extension
Describe the Patella
small, triangular, sesamoid bone, anterior to knee joint, develops in tendon of quadriceps femoris muscle
Base of the patella
broad proximal end
Apex of the patella
pointed distal end
Describe the articular facet of the patella
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
Purpose of the Patella
protects the knee joint, increases the leverage and maintains position of the tendon and quadriceps femoris muscle when the knee is flexed
Describe the tibia - 4 points
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
Describe the tibia’s articulation with the fibula
the inferior surface of the lateral tibial condyle articulates with the head of the fibula - proximal tibiofibular joint
Intercondylar eminence
an upward projection separating the condyles on the tibia posteriorly
tibial tuberoscity
a prominence on the anterior aspect of the proximal tibia
medial malleolus - where found, articulates with
on the distal, medial surface of the tibia, articulates with the talus of the ankle
fibular notch - 3 points
found on the tibia, articulates with the distal end of the fibula, forms the distal tibiofibular joint
Describe the fibula
lies parallel and later to the tibia
Describe the fibula’s articulations with the femur/tibia/talus
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
Purpose of the fibula
helps stabilise the ankle joint
7 tarsal bones - anterior
navicular, 3x Cuneiform - medial, intermediate, lateral, cuboid
7 tarsal bones - posterior
Talus, calcaneus
Describe the Intertarsal joints
joints between the tarsal bones
Describe the Talus - 3 points
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
Describe the metatarsals - 3 points
form the intermediate portion of the foot, numbered I-V from medial to lateral, 1st = thickest because it bears more weight
Describe the parts of the metatarsals and their articulations - 3 points
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
Describe fractures found in the metatarsals and how - 3 points
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
Describe phalanges - 3 points
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
Describe the Hallux and compare with the other phalanges - 2 points
Otherwise known as the Big Toe, this is 2 large phalanges (proximal and distal), other 4 toes have 3 phalanges (proximal, intermediate and distal)
Describe the Inter-phalangeal Joints
joints between the phalanges
Describe the 2 arches of the foot - 2 points
longitudinal and transverse arches, arranged by ligaments and tendons
Role of arches in the foot - 3 points
support & evenly distribute weight of body, provide leverage when walking, absorb shock when walking/running
