Legs

The legs are the lower limbs of the human body. Legs begin at the hip, include the thigh and knee and extend to the ankle. Legs support the upper half of the body and enable standing as well as mobility^{1 2}

Fast Facts

1. Also known as: Lower limbs³
2. Function: Body support and mobility¹
3. Femur: Strongest, longest bone in body ¹
4. Legs: 4 bones each⁴
5. Leg Muscles: Anterior, posterior, lateral⁵

Leg Health and Diseases

Several factors can impact the health of the legs.

Exercise helps blood circulation and strengthening the muscles. Not smoking helps avoid damage to the veins. Limiting the use of alcohol guards against claudication and nerve damage of the legs. Those diagnosed with diabetes should keep blood glucose levels in control. Maintaining a healthy weight avoids pressure strain on the legs.

Some common ailments of the legs are restless leg syndrome, claudication, broken bones, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.^{6 7}

Bones in the Legs

The femur, or thighbone, is the strongest bone in the body. It forms a ball-and-socket joint at the hip that enables back and forth motions. The tibia, or shinbone, is the lower leg's supporting bone. Between the femur and tibia is the patella, or kneecap. The patella protects the hinge joint of the tibia. The fibula provides anchors for muscles.⁴

Related Mahalo Pages

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) | Sleep Disorders | Fatigue | Claudication | Atherosclerosis | Broken Leg | Broken Bone | Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | Diabetes | Obesity | Obesity Epidemic | Varicose Veins | Radiofrequency Ablation | Human Anatomy | Feet

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