Human leg
In common usage, a human leg is the lower limb of the body, extending from the hip to the ankle, and including the thigh, the knee, and the cnemis.[1] The largest bone in the human body, the femur, is in the leg.
Terminology
In human anatomical terms, the leg is the part of the lower limb[2] that lies between the knee and the ankle.[3][4] This article generally follows the common usage.
The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis (nee'mis) or crus[5]. The calf is the back portion and the shin is the front.
Legs are often used metaphorically in many cultures to indicate either strength or mobility. The supporting columns of an object may be referred to as legs as well, as in chair legs.
Function and cultural aspects
Legs are often used for standing, walking, jumping, running, kicking, and similar activities, and are a significant portion of a person's mass.
Adolescent and adult females in many Western cultures often remove the hair from their legs. Toned, tanned, shaved legs are sometimes perceived as a sign of youthfulness and are often considered attractive in these cultures.
Anatomy
Long bones of the lower limb
Muscles of the human lower limb
Muscles of the thigh
Anterior compartment of the thigh
- Quadriceps femoris, which is composed of:
- Sartorius
- Tensor fascia lata
Medial compartment of the thigh
Posterior compartment of the thigh
Muscles of the cnemis
The anterior compartment
The posterior compartment
(all these muscles are at the distal end attached to the calcaneus by the Achilles' tendon)
The deep posterior compartment
The lateral compartment
Vasculature of the leg
The arteries
- Femoral artery
- Profunda femoris
- Superficial femoral artery
- Popliteal artery
- Tibial artery
- Fibular artery
- Arcuate artery
The veins
- Greater saphenous vein
- Lesser saphenous vein
- Femoral vein
- Popliteal vein
- Anterior tibial vein
- Posterior tibial vein
- Fibular vein
See also
- Distraction osteogenesis (leg lengthening)
References
External links
