Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 8 - Section 8.5 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 272: 10

Answer

The two leg bones are the medial tibia and the lateral fibula. The fibula is the smaller and weaker of the two. The tibia-- the shin bone --is larger and stronger for the purpose of bearing most of the the weight of the body transmitted to it by the humerus; the fibula bears little weight, but supports leg muscles concerned with posture and balance. The features of the tibia are the head with the condyles, the intercondylar eminence, the tibial tuberosity, the anterior crest and medial malleolus. Grossly, the tibia presents as a large bone with two articular surfaces-- the medial and lateral condyles. These condylae are separated by a ridge/mound of bone called the intercondylar eminence. Another feature ,the tibial tuberosity, is a rough anterior area of the tibia that lies just below the patella.

Work Step by Step

The main function of the tibia is weight-bearing , but it serves other purposes. For example, the powerful knee extensor muscles are attached to the tibial tuberosity, and the condyles of the proximal end of the tibia articulate with the condyles of the distal end femur (medial and lateral). The humero-fibular joint is a modified hinge joint-- it is supported by several ligaments including the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.
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