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Lower limb

(Redirected from Lower extremity)

In humans, the lower limb is an anatomical term for the limb that is attached to the pelvic girdle, what is commonly referred to as the leg. The leg in anatomy is just a part of the lower limb (the foot). The anatomy of the human leg hints at the shared characteristics of tetrapod legs (and to some extent wings and arms), and the requirements for leg anatomies in general.

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Anatomy of the human lower extremity

The leg or lower limb includes the following regions:

Muscles of the lower extremity

The muscles of the lower extremity can be grouped to the muscles of the pelvis, of the thigh, of the shank and of the leg. The muscles of the pelvis are:

  • Iliopsoas muscle (m.iliopsoas):
    • It is composed from the psoas major muscle and iliacus. Its function is to rotate the knee joint and at the same time to adduct the thigh and rotate it outwards.
  • Minor M.psoas minor:

Blood vessels and lymph vessels of the lower extremity

Nerves of the lower extremity


See also:



05-27-2008 11:01:51
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