Human leg

Human leg
Lateral aspect of right leg
Latin	membrum inferius
Dorlands/Elsevier	Leg

In common usage, the 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.

In human anatomical terms, the leg is the part of the lower limb that lies between the knee and the ankle,^[2] the thigh is between the hip and knee and the term "lower limb" is used to describe the colloquial leg. This article generally follows the common usage.

The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis (nee'mis) or crus. 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.

Rarely males also shave their legs, though this is not common practice in any part of the world (most often it is done for modelling or certain sports where speed is a requirement).

^{See also: Leg shaving & Leg shaving amongst men.}

Anatomy

The muscles of the human lower leg

Muscles of the human lower limb

see Table of muscles

• Tibialis anterior
• Extensor hallucis longus
• Extensor digitorum longus
• Fibularis tertius
• Triceps surae (calf muscle)
• Gastrocnemius
• Soleus
• Plantaris
• Popliteus
• Flexor hallucis longus
• Flexor digitorum longus
• Tibialis posterior
• Peroneus longus
• Peroneus brevis

Vasculature of the leg

The arteries

• Femoral artery
• Profunda femoris
• Superficial femoral artery
• Popliteal artery
• Tibial artery
  • Anterior tibial artery
  • Posterior tibial artery
• Fibular artery
• Arcuate artery

The veins

• Greater saphenous vein
• Small saphenous
• Femoral vein
• Popliteal vein
• Anterior tibial vein
• Posterior tibial vein
• Fibular vein

See also

• Distraction osteogenesis (leg lengthening)

References

External links

• Interactive Rotation of Leg Arteries and Veins
• Human leg fractures

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