Bones of the Leg and Foot

[Continued from above] . . . that fits into the socket in the pelvis to form the hip joint. The neck of the femur gives the hip joint a wide range of movement. The lower end of the femur joins the tibia, or shin bone to form the knee joint. The tibia and the fibula make up the two long bones in the lower leg. The lower end of the tibia forms part of the ankle joint. The fibula doesn't offer much support or strength to the leg, but rather serves to provide attachment for muscles. It too forms part of the ankle joint.

The foot consists of an ankle, which is composed of seven tarsal bones, an instep, and five toes. The calcaneus or heel bone, forms the base of the heel and helps support the weight of the body and provides an attachment for muscles that move the foot. The instep has five elongated metatarsal bones that join the ankle bones. The tarsals and metatarsals form the arches of the foot, which provide a stable, spring base for the body. The metatarsal bones join the fourteen toe bones, or phalanges. All of the bones of the lower limbs help balance and support the weight of the rest of the body, allowing it to run, jump, walk and complete other movements with the legs.