Medical Gross Anatomy
Anatomy Tables - Bones of the Lower Limb - Listed in Proximal to Distal Order
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Medical Gross Anatomy |
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| Bone | Structure | Description | Notes |
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| pubis | an angulated bone the forms the anterior part of the pelvis | one of three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis; its body forms 1/5 of the acetabulum; its symphyseal surface unites with the pubis of the opposite side to form the pubic symphysis; the superior and inferior pubic rami participate in the formation of the obturator foramen | |
| body | superolateral portion of the pubis | the body of the pubis forms about 1/5 of the acetabulum | |
| pubic crest | ridge on the superior border of the superior ramus | attachment of rectus abdominis & pyramidalis mm. | |
| pubic tubercle | process at the lateral end of pubic crest | attachment point of the medial end of the inguinal ligament | |
| superior ramus | superior "limb" that passes medially from the body of the pubis | articulates with the superior ramus of the opposite side at the pubic symphysis | |
| pecten | ridge on superior surface of the superior pubic ramus | attachment point of the pectineal ligament | |
| inferior ramus | inferior "limb" that passes inferolaterally from the pubic symphysis | articulates with the ischial ramus to form the ischiopubic ramus; attachment site for the root of the penis (clitoris) | |
| obturator groove | groove on the inferior surface of the superior pubic ramus | marks the area of passage of the obturator vessels and n. in the obturator canal | |
| ischium | the "V"- shaped bone that forms the posteroinferior part of the pelvis | one of the three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis | |
| ischial ramus | the limb of the ischium that passes anteriorly and superomedially toward the pubis | it articulates with the inferior ramus of the pubis to form ischiopubic ramus | |
| body | the part of the ischium that participates in the formation of the acetabulum | it articulates with the ilium and the pubis at the acetabulum; the body of the ischium forms 2/5 of the acetabulum | |
| ischial tuberosity | the roughened projection that protrudes posteroinferiorly from the body of the ischium | it is the site of attachment of the sacrotuberous ligament; it is the site of origin of the inferior gemellus m., quadratus femoris m. and the hamstring mm. (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, long head of biceps femoris, ischiocondylar portion of the adductor magnus) | |
| lesser sciatic notch | the notch located between the ischial tuberosity and the ischial spine | the lesser sciatic notch is converted to the lesser sciatic foramen by the sacrospinous ligament and the sacrotuberous ligament | |
| ischial spine | the spine that arises just superior to the lesser sciatic notch | it is the site of attachment of the sacrospinous ligament and the site of origin of the superior gemellus m. | |
| ilium | fan-shaped bone that forms the lateral prominence of the pelvis | one of three bones that form the os coxae: ilium, ischium, pubis | |
| body | the portion of the ilium that participates in the formation of the acetabulum | the body of the ilium forms 2/5 of the acetabulum | |
| iliac crest | arching superior edge the ilium that forms the rim of the "fan" | attachment for abdominal wall muscles | |
| iliac fossa | broad depression on the medial surface of the ilium | iliac fossa is part of the false (greater) pelvis | |
| iliac tubercle | roughened area along the outer edge of the iliac crest | ||
| greater sciatic notch | the notch on the inferior portion of ilium located posteromedial to the ischial spine | the greater sciatic notch is converted to the greater sciatic foramen by the sacrospinous ligament and the sacrotuberous ligament | |
| anterior superior iliac spine | spine at the anterior end of the iliac crest | lateral attachment of the inguinal ligament | |
| posterior superior iliac spine | spine at the posterior end of the iliac crest | position marked by a dimpling of the skin | |
| anterior inferior iliac spine | inferior to anterior superior iliac spine | attachment site of straight head of rectus femoris m. | |
| arcuate line | ridge running from anteroinferior to posterosuperior on the inner surface of the ilium | inferior boundary of the iliac fossa; marks the plane of transition from abdominal cavity to pelvic cavity | |
| sacrum | a triangular bone that is the posterior skeletal element forming the pelvis | it is formed by 5 fused vertebrae; the sacrum and two os coxae bones form the pelvis | |
| base | the superior part of the sacrum | the base of the sacrum includes the articular surface for the fifth lumbar vertebra and the superior portion of the two ala | |
| promontory | a projection of the superior part of the sacrum in an anterior direction | the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra sits on the sacral promontory and articulates with it through a symphysis | |
| ala | the lateral portion of the sacrum | paired; it projects laterally from the body of the sacrum; it represents the fused costal and transverse processes of the first sacral vertebra | |
| anterior sacral foramina | an opening in the anterior surface of the sacrum | there are four pairs; each transmits the ventral primary ramus of the respective sacral spinal nerve; branches of the lateral sacral aa. Enter the sacral canal through these openings | |
| posterior sacral foramina | an opening in the posterior surface of the sacrum | there are four pairs; each transmits the dorsal primary ramus of the respective sacral spinal nerve | |
| sacral canal | the opening in the center of the sacrum | it is the continuation of the vertebral canal at sacral vertebral levels | |
| sacral hiatus | an opening in the posterior surface of the sacrum in the midline | it is a normal feature that results from the failure of fusion of the laminae of the fifth sacral segment (and sometimes the fourth) during development | |
| articular surface | the roughened area located on the lateral surface of the sacrum | this surface articulates with the ilium in the sacroiliac articulation | |
| body | the central portion of the sacrum | the body is equivalent to the bodies of the other vertebra | |
| base | the superior surface of the sacrum | the base of the sacrum articulates with the fifth lumbar vertebra through an intervertebral disk | |
| coccyx | the most inferior portion of the vertebral column | the coccyx results from the fusion of the four coccygeal vertebrae; it may be a single bone or the first coccygeal vertebra may be separated from the other three; it articulates with the fifth sacral segment; coccygeal vertebrae are reduced in complexity, having no pedicles, laminae or spines | |
| femur | the bone of the thigh | the femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body | |
| head | smooth, rounded proximal end | the head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis | |
| fovea capitis femoris | a shallow pit in the head of the femur | it is the attachment site of the ligamentum capitis femoris; a small artery for supply of the head is found within this ligament | |
| neck | the constricted area distal to the head of the femur | most of the blood supply to the head of the femur courses along the surface of the neck; fractures of the neck of the femur may result in avascular necrosis of the head | |
| greater trochanter | a large process that projects superiorly from the junction of the neck and shaft of the femur | the greater trochanter is the insertion site of the gluteus medius m., gluteus minimus m., piriformis m. and obturator internus m. | |
| gluteal tuberosity | a roughened area located on the posterior surface of the femur at the superior end of the lateral lip of the linea aspera | it is one of the insertion sites of the gluteus maximus m. | |
| lesser trochanter | a large process that projects from the posteromedial surface of the femur just distal to neck | it is the insertion site of the common tendon of the psoas major and iliacus mm. (iliopsoas m.) | |
| trochanteric fossa | a depression on the medial side of the greater trochanter on its posterior surface where the greater trochanter joins the neck | it is the insertion site of the obturator externus m. | |
| intertrochanteric line | a ridge on the anterior surface of the femur that connects the greater and lesser trochanters | it is the line of attachment of the fibrous joint capsule | |
| intertrochanteric crest | a heavy ridge on the posterior surface of the femur that connects the greater and lesser trochanters | the quadratus femoris m. inserts on the intertrochanteric crest | |
| body | the long slender shaft of the femur | the linea aspera runs the entire length of the posterior surface of the body | |
| linea aspera | a vertical ridge on posterior surface of the femur | it is the insertion site of the medial (adductor) group of thigh muscles and the origin of the vastus intermedius m. and the short head of the biceps femoris m. | |
| adductor tubercle | a process that projects superior to the medial epicondyle of the femur | it is the insertion site of the ischiocondylar part of the adductor magnus m. | |
| medial epicondyle | the enlargement of bone on the medial side of the femur just superior to the medial condyle | it is the attachment site of the tibial collateral ligament of the knee joint | |
| lateral epicondyle | the enlargement of bone on the lateral side of the femur just superior to the lateral condyle | it is the attachment site of the fibular collateral ligament and the site of origin of the popliteus m. | |
| medial condyle | the rounded inferior end of the femur on the medial side | it articulates with the medial condyle of the tibia | |
| lateral condyle | the rounded inferior end of the femur on the lateral side | it articulates with the lateral condyle of the tibia | |
| intercondylar fossa | the deep depression on the posterior surface of the femur between the condyles | the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are located here | |
| patellar surface | the smooth anterior surface at the inferior end of the femur | it articulates with the posterior surface the patella | |
| patella | the bone that forms the knee cap | the patella is a sesamoid bone in the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle; it provides a protective function by withstanding the grinding forces of the quadriceps femoris tendon against the patellar surface of the femur, especially in full knee flexion | |
| tibia | the bone on the medial side of the leg | the tibia is the weight-bearing bone of the leg | |
| medial condyle | the heavy prominence on the medial side of the proximal end of the tibia | the medial condyle articulates with the medial condyle of the femur; it is larger than the lateral condyle of the tibia | |
| lateral condyle | the heavy prominence on the lateral side of the proximal end of the tibia | the lateral condyle articulates with the lateral condyle of the femur and with the head of the fibula | |
| intercondylar eminence | the ridge of bone on the proximal end of the tibia that projects between the condyles | the intercondylar eminence has a medial and a lateral tubercle; it is the attachment site for the cruciate ligaments, medial meniscus and lateral meniscus | |
| tibial tuberosity | the roughened protuberance on the anterior surface of the tibia located just distal to the condyles | it is the attachment site of the patellar ligament, which represents the insertion of the quadriceps femoris tendon | |
| body | the long, robust shaft of the tibia | the medial surface of the body of the tibia is subcutaneous throughout its length; when the shin is painfully bumped, the nerve endings are stimulated in the periosteum covering the body of the tibia | |
| interosseous border | the sharp ridge that runs longitudinally along the junction of the lateral surface and the posterior surface of the tibia | the interosseous membrane attaches to the interosseous border of the tibia | |
| soleal line | a ridge of bone that descends obliquely from lateral to medial on the posterior surface of the tibia | it is the site of origin of the soleus m. | |
| medial malleolus | the large bony prominence on the medial side of the ankle | the medial malleolus of the tibia forms the medial side of the ankle joint; it articulates with the medial surface of the talus | |
| fibula | the slender bone on the lateral side of the leg | the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone, it is a muscle attachment bone | |
| head | the enlarged proximal end of the fibula | it articulates with the lateral condyle of tibia; the fibular collateral ligament of the knee attaches to the head of the fibula | |
| neck | the constricted portion of the fibula located just inferior to the head | fractures of the neck of the fibula can injure the common fibular n. | |
| body | the long slender shaft of the fibula | the interosseous membrane attaches to the entire length of the interosseous border of the fibula | |
| interosseous border | the sharp ridge that runs longitudinally along the medial surface of the fibula | the interosseous membrane attaches to the interosseous border of the fibula | |
| lateral malleolus | the enlarged distal end of the fibula | the lateral malleolus of the fibula forms the lateral side of the ankle joint; it articulates with the lateral surface of the talus; forcible lateral displacement of the foot can cause the fibula to fracture superior to the lateral malleolus, a condition called a Pott's fracture | |
| tarsal bones | the bones of the ankle | there are seven tarsal bones: talus, calcaneus, navicular, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, lateral cuneiform, cuboid | |
| talus | the most proximal of the tarsal bones | the talus articulates with the medial malleolus of the tibia and the lateral malleolus of the fibula to form the ankle mortise joint | |
| body | the proximal part of the talus | its superior (trochlear) part participates in the ankle joint and its inferior part articulates with the calcaneus | |
| trochlea | the superior portion of the body of the talus that lies between the two malleoli | it has a smooth articular surface; it participates in the formation of the ankle joint | |
| head | the portion of the talus that projects anteriorly | it articulates with the navicular bone | |
| neck | the constricted part of the talus located proximal to the head | ||
| calcaneus | the tarsal bone which forms the heel | it is the largest and strongest bone in the foot; a fracture of the calcaneus which separates the tuberosity from the body can be a debilitating injury | |
| calcaneal tuberosity | the posterior roughened area of the calcaneus which contacts the ground during weight-bearing | it is the insertion site of the calcaneal (Achilles') tendon | |
| sustentaculum tali | the shelf-like medial projection of bone located inferior to the medial malleolus | it is a shelf of bone that articulates with and supports the talus; it is grooved inferiorly by the tendon of the flexor hallucis longus m. | |
| navicular | the tarsal bone located distal to the talus and proximal to the three cuneiform bones | it articulates with the head of the talus and all three cuneiform bones; it is the attachment site for an important ligament (plantar calcaneonavicular or "spring" ligament) that supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot | |
| cuneiform, medial | the most medial bone in the distal row of tarsal bones | the cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the bases of the metatarsal bones distally | |
| cuneiform, middle | the intermediate bone of the three cuneiform bones | the cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the bases of the metatarsal bones distally | |
| cuneiform, lateral | the bone that is located between the middle cuneiform and the cuboid bone | the cuneiform bones articulate with the navicular bone proximally and the bases of the metatarsal bones distally | |
| cuboid | the most lateral bone in the distal row of tarsal bones | the cuboid bone articulates with the calcaneus proximally and the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones distally | |
| metatarsals | the bones located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges | there are five metatarsal bones in the foot | |
| base | the proximal end of the metatarsal | it articulates with the distal row of tarsal bones | |
| body | the slender shaft of the metatarsal | it is also known as the diaphysis | |
| head | the rounded distal end of the metatarsal | it articulates with the proximal phalanx of the corresponding digit | |
| phalanx (phalanges) | the distal two or three bones in the digits of the foot | there are a total of 14 phalanges in the foot; the great toe has two phalanges (proximal and distal) and each of the other four toes has three phalanges (proximal, middle and distal); phalanx means "line of soldiers" | |
| base | the proximal end of the phalanx | the base of the proximal phalanx articulates with the head of the corresponding metatarsal bone; the base of the middle or distal phalanx articulates with the head of the next most proximal phalanx | |
| body | the slender shaft of the phalanx | also known as the diaphysis; the body of the distal phalanx is very short | |
| head | the distal end of the phalanx | the proximal, middle and distal phalanges each have a head; the head of a proximal or middle phalanx articulates with the base of the next most distal phalanx |
| The material presented in these tables is
contained in the book: MedCharts Anatomy by Thomas R. Gest & Jaye Schlesinger Published by ILOC, Inc., New York Copyright © 1995, unauthorized use prohibited. |
The excellent editorial assistance of Dr. Pat Tank, UAMS is gratefully acknowledged. |
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| Copyright© 2000 The University of Michigan. Unauthorized use prohibited. |
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