Bones of the Lower Limbs

The skeleton of the lower extremities is divided into four segments:

1. Pelvis: consists of the connection of the two pelvic bones with the sacrum and coccyx. The pelvis in men is thicker than in women, but in women it is wider and has a greater slope to facilitate the passage of the fetus during childbirth.

2. Femur: The only bone of the second segment, the longest in the human body.

3. Lower leg bones: consists of two long bones, the tibia and fibula, which meet at the knee and ankle. The knee is formed by a short, flat and rounded bone, the patella, which allows the leg to flex and straighten.

4. Bones of the foot: consist of three sections and include 26 bones. The largest bone in the foot is the heel. The metatarsals and phalanges are similar to the metacarpus and phalanges of the hand, but they are less developed due to their less mobility.

The word "clavicle" in Latin means "key", this word came to mean the collarbone because of its resemblance to the bolt with which doors were locked. Another bone, the fibula, gets its name from its resemblance to the tibia, an ancient musical instrument similar to a flute.