THE FRAMEWORK OF THE BODY 



37 



more funnel-shaped; the female pelvis is wider, shorter, and shallower 

 and is adapted to the requirements of childbirth. 



The skeleton of the leg consists of a single thigh bone, the femur, and 

 of two lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula. A small, separate, flattened 



V s "' * 1 " y 





9 



Fig. 3.7. The pelvic girdle from the front. 



bone forms the kneecap, or patella. The tibia, or shinbone, is larger than 

 the fibula. At the ankle the tibia is on the inside and the fibula on the 

 outside of the leg. 



The foot is more highly modified for a specialized function than is the 

 hand. Along with the domed brain case, it is the most characteristically 

 human modification of the skeleton; yet it is clearly built on the same 

 plan as the hand. The heel and ankle are made up of seven smallish bones 

 of various sizes and shapes; collectively these are known as the tarsal 



