Human leg
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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. In human anatomical terms, the leg is the part of the lower limb that lies between the knee and the ankle. This article generally follows the common usage.
The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis (nee'mis). The calf is the back portion and the shin is the front.
Legs are often used for standing, walking, jumping, running, and similar activities, and are a significant portion of a person's mass. The largest bone in the human body, the femur, is in the leg. 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.
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
- :Anterior compartment of the thigh
- :*Quadriceps femoris, which is composed of:
- :**Vastus lateralis
- :**Vastus medialis
- :**Vastus intermedius
- :**Rectus femoris
- :*Sartorius
- :*Adductor longus
- :*Adductor brevis
- :*Adductor magnus
- :*Gracilis
- :*Pectineus
- :*Gluteus maximus
- :*Tensor fascia lata
- :Posterior compartment of the thigh
- :*Biceps femoris
- :*Semimembranosus
- :*Semitendinosus
Muscles of the cnemis
The muscles of the human lower leg
- :*Popliteus
- :The anterior compartment
- :*Tibialis anterior
- :*Extensor digitorum longus
- :*Extensor hallicus longus
- :*Peroneus tertius
- :The posterior compartment
- :*Gastrocnemius (attached to the calcaneus by Achilles' tendon)
- :*Plantaris
- :*Soleus
- :The lateral compartment
- :*Peroneus longus
- :*Peronius brevis
- :The deep posterior compartment
- :*Tibialis posterior
- :*Flexor digitorum longus
- :*Flexor hallicus longus
Vasculature of the leg
The arteries
- Common femoral artery
- Deep femoral artery
- Superficial femoral artery
- Popliteal artery
- Anterior tibial artery
- Posterior tibial artery
- Peroneal artery
- Arcuate artery
The veins
- Greater saphenous vein
- Lesser saphenous vein
- Femoral vein
- Popliteal vein
- Anterior tibial vein
- Posterior tibial vein
- Peroneal vein
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| HEAD: Forehead – Eye – Ear – Nose – Mouth – Tongue – Teeth – Jaw – Face – Cheek – Chin TORSO: Shoulders – Spine – Chest – Breast – Ribcage – Abdomen – Belly button LIMBS: Arm – Elbow – Forearm – Wrist – Hand – Finger (Thumb - Index finger - Middle finger - Ring finger - Little finger) – Leg – Lap – Thigh – Knee – Calf – Heel – Ankle – Foot – Toe (Hallux) |
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