Hello everyone. Today, I will introduce the anatomy of the lower extremity. The lower extremity is responsible for supporting body weight, maintaining balance, walking, running, jumping, and changing directions. It mainly includes the hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot. First, the hip joint is formed by the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis. It is a ball-and-socket joint that allows flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. The gluteus maximus mainly performs hip extension, while the gluteus medius helps with hip abduction and pelvic stability. Next is the thigh, which contains the femur. The quadriceps muscles are located at the front of the thigh and are responsible for knee extension. Some of these muscles also assist hip flexion. The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thigh and are responsible for knee flexion and hip extension. These muscles are important for running, jumping, and kicking. The knee is an important weight-bearing joint. It mainly consists of the femur, tibia, and patella. Its stability is supported by the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and medial and lateral collateral ligaments. The knee mainly performs flexion and extension. The lower leg contains the tibia and fibula. The calf muscles include the gastrocnemius and soleus. These muscles connect to the heel bone through the Achilles tendon and help produce ankle plantar flexion. The ankle and foot support body weight, absorb impact, and maintain balance. Common lower extremity sports injuries include ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, hamstring strains, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, and plantar fasciitis. Understanding lower extremity anatomy helps improve movement techniques, enhance athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injuries.

Implemented by Department of Exercise and Health Sciences
Date: 2026/09/24