BOXES OF THE LEG. 



139 



\ 



large projections. The larger (5) is called the great, and the 

 smaller (7) the lesser trochanter, which serve for the attach- 

 ment of the principal motory muscles of the thigh. The body 

 (9 9) is arched before, and slightly concave behind, where we 

 observe a rough projecting line (linea aspera) (10), which like- 

 wise affords a firm surface for the attachment of the muscles of 

 the thigh. The lower end of the body expands into two large 

 condyles (12, 13), of which the inner (13) is longer and larger. 

 Fig. 134 represents a front view, and fig. 133 a back view of the 

 femur. The condyles move upon the head of the Fig. 137. 



only in one plane. The knee joint is, there- 

 fore, a pure hinge, its motions being restricted by 

 lateral and crucial ligaments, whilst the round 

 head of the femur forms, with the acetabulum, 

 a ball and socket joint, and executes thereby 

 movements in all directions. 



[ '265. THE LEG (fig. 137) consists of two 

 bones, the tibia (n) and fibula (in). The 

 tibia has a broad head, on which the condyles 

 of the femur play ; to its upper surface is 

 attached, by a ligament, a small round bone, 

 the patella (i), or knee-pan, which protects 

 the joint in front, and changes the direction 

 of the tendons descending from the thigh to 

 be inserted into the tibia, and thereby enabling 

 them to act more advantageously upon the leg. 

 The fibula (in) is a slender bone placed at the 

 external side of the tibia. It affords attachment 

 to muscles, and assists in the formation of the 

 ankle joint. The latter joint, however, being 

 formed chiefly by the lower end of the tibia; that 

 bone supporting the entire weight of the body. 



[ 26(i. THE FOOT consists of the TARSUS, 

 METATARSUS, and TOES. Fig. 138 shews 

 these parts of the foot. A is the tarsus, B the 

 Fisr. 138. 



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