Forensic Anthropology Bones of the Leg

Skeletal anatomy of the leg Comprised of 4 bones Femur Femur Tibia Tibia Fibula Fibula Patella Patella Useful for age/growth Sex determination stature determination

THE FEMUR  Largest, heaviest bone of the body  Ball shaped head  Articulates with innominate, tibia (does NOT form a straight line with tibia in anatomical position), patella  Shaft has circular cross section

THE FEMUR – what to know  Proximally Head Head Fovea capitus Fovea capitus Anatomical neck Anatomical neck Greater and lesser trochanter Greater and lesser trochanter Intertrochanteric crest Intertrochanteric crest Linea aspera Linea aspera  Distally Lateral condyle Lateral epicondyle Medial epicondyle Medial condyle Intercondylar fossa Patellar articular surface

THE FEMUR – L from R  Orient head medially, greater trochanter  Intercondylar fossa posterior  Larger condyle is medial

The tibia - description  Second largest bone in the body  Hinge joint – greatest weight bearing  Articulations: Proximal – femur at horizontal platform AND fibulaProximal – femur at horizontal platform AND fibula Distal – fibula AND talusDistal – fibula AND talus Note there is NO articulation with the patellaNote there is NO articulation with the patella  Shape = triangular shaft Sharpest angle anteriorSharpest angle anterior Malleolus at distal endMalleolus at distal end

The tibia – What to know  Proximal end: Intercondylar eminence Intercondylar eminence Medial condyle Medial condyle Lateral condyle Lateral condyle Tibial tuberosity Tibial tuberosity Fibular facet of tibia Fibular facet of tibia Popliteal line Popliteal line Interosseous crest Interosseous crest Anterior crest Anterior crest  Distal end: Fibular notch of tibia Articular surface for talus Medial malleolus

Tibia – Right from left  Orient plateau superiorly  Make sure tibial tuberosity is anterior  Medial malleolus is medial  Interosseous crest points toward fibula

Growth and the humerus  Fusion ages ♀14-16/ ♂15-18 distal epiphysis ♀14-16/ ♂15-18 distal epiphysis ♀13-17/ ♂15-19 proximal epiphysis ♀13-17/ ♂15-19 proximal epiphysis Also age related changes in bone density associated with elderly

The fibula - description  Lateral to the tibia, most slender long bone  Makes up the ‘outside’ of the ankle

The fibula  Shaft – triangular X-section Flat head at top Flat head at top Distal end composed largely of lateral malleolus Distal end composed largely of lateral malleolus  Articulations Proximal – with tibia at fibular facet just below lateral condyleProximal – with tibia at fibular facet just below lateral condyle Distal – passes through fibular notch of tibia to articulate with talusDistal – passes through fibular notch of tibia to articulate with talus

The fibula – What to know  Proximal End: Head Head Styloid process Styloid process Facet for tibia Facet for tibia Interosseous crest  Distal End: Lateral malleolus Malleolar facet for talus Malleolar fossa

fibula – Right from left  Orient head superior  Lateral malleolus is lateral, tip points posteriorly (when looking at lateral side)  Styloid process and interosseous crest

Bones of the hand Carpal bones 1. scaphoid 2. lunate 3. triquetrum 4. pisiform 5. trapezium 6. trapezoid 7. capitate 8. hamate Metacarpal bones 9. I 10. II 11. III 12. IV 13. V Phalanges proximal 14 middle 15 distal 16

Sorting metatarsals  Longer, thinner, and more curved than MC  MT1: thickest  MT2: Longest, slight process Triangular with off-set lateral facet Triangular with off-set lateral facet  MT3: triangular with continuous lateral facet  MT4: base rectangular  MT5: long, lateral process

Bones of the Foot 1. Calcaneus 2. Talus 3. Navicular 4. Medial cuneiform 5. Intermediate cuneiform 6. Lateral cuneiform 7. Cuboid 8. First metatarsal 9. Second metatarsal 10. Third metatarsal 11. Fourth metatarsal 12. Fifth metatarsal 13. Proximal phalanx of great toe 14. Distal phalanx of great toe 15. Proximal phalanx of second toe 16. Middle phalanx of second toe 17. Distal phalanx of second toe

Sorting metacarpals  MC1: shortest, thickest  MC2: longest, 2 processes at base M2 – M5 decrease in size successively M2 – M5 decrease in size successively  MC3: 1 processes at base  MC4: no processes, facets on both sides of base  MC5: short, no processes, facet on only 1 side of base

Manual vs pedal phalanges  Manual phalanges are longer  Flattened in the middle (oval cross- section) Narrower top to bottom Narrower top to bottom  Pedal phalanges are ‘slim-waisted’ in the middle  Circular cross-section Narrower side to side Narrower side to side

Sorting phalanges  Proximal phalanges: cup-shaped proximal end (art. w/ MC head)  Medial phalanges: double-faceted proximal end  Distal phalanges: flat, ‘fingernail shaped’ distal end