The Skeletal System - Lower Body

Pelvis

• an irregular bone
• the point of the attachment for the legs to the rest of the body
• in a pregnant female it aids to protect the developing fetus

Femur

• a long bone and is the largest bone in the human body
• covered by a membrane called the periosteum and is made up of the dense part of bone (compact bone) along the shaft (diaphysis) and cancellous (spongy) bone near the ends

Patella

• a floating bone
• commonly known as the knee cap

Tibia

• a long bone
• also known as the shin
• supports the weight of the body

Fibula

• a long bone
• helps to support the larger lower leg bone (the tibia)
• does not support any of the body’s weight

Tarsals

• a set of short bones
• together they make up the ankle

Metatarsals

• five short bones
• together, these make up the arch of the foot.