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{{short description|Weight bearing and locomotive anatomical structure}} |
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{{About|legs of animals in general|legs in humans|Human leg|other uses}} |
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{{Redirect|Legs}} |
{{Redirect|Legs||Leg (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Infobox anatomy |
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[[File:InsectLeg.png|thumb|Diagram of an insect leg|alt=Diagram of an insect leg]] |
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| Name = Leg |
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| ⚫ | A '''leg''' is a [[weight-bearing]] and [[animal locomotion|locomotive]] anatomical structure, usually having a [[column]]ar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts".<ref>{{cite web |title=Studies in the Mechanics of the Tetrapod Skeleton |publisher=Biologists.org |url=http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/2/88 | |
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| Latin = membrum inferius |
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| Greek = |
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| Image = InsectLeg.svg |
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| Caption = Diagram of an insect leg |
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| ⚫ | A '''leg''' is a [[weight-bearing]] and [[animal locomotion|locomotive]] anatomical structure, usually having a [[column]]ar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts".<ref>{{cite web |title=Studies in the Mechanics of the Tetrapod Skeleton |publisher=Biologists.org |url=http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/2/88 |access-date=21 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709010059/http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/20/2/88 |archive-date=9 July 2008 }}</ref> The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element capable of changing length and rotating about an omnidirectional "hip" joint. |
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As an anatomical [[animal]] structure it is used for [[animal locomotion|locomotion]]. The [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|distal]] end is often modified to distribute [[force]] (such as a [[foot]]). Most animals have an even number of legs. |
As an anatomical [[animal]] structure, it is used for [[animal locomotion|locomotion]]. The [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|distal]] end is often modified to distribute [[force]] (such as a [[foot]]). Most animals have an even number of legs. |
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As a component of furniture, it is used for the economy of materials needed to provide the support for the useful surface such as the table top or chair seat. |
As a component of furniture, it is used for the economy of materials needed to provide the support for the useful surface, such as the table top or chair seat. |
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==Terminology== |
==Terminology== |
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*[[Unipedalism|Uniped]]: |
*[[Unipedalism|Uniped]]: one leg, such as clams |
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*[[Bipedalism|Biped]]: |
*[[Bipedalism|Biped]]: two legs, such as humans and birds |
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*[[Tripedalism|Triped]]: |
*[[Tripedalism|Triped]]: three legs, which typically does not occur naturally in healthy animals |
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*[[Quadrupedalism|Quadruped]]: |
*[[Quadrupedalism|Quadruped]]: four legs, such as dogs and horses |
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Many [[taxa]] are characterized by the number of legs: |
Many [[taxa]] are characterized by the number of legs: |
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*[[Tetrapod]]s have four legs. Squamates of genus ''[[Bipes (lizard)|Bipes]]'' have only two. Caecilians and many squamate lineages convergently lost their legs. [[Cetacean]]s and [[Sirenian]]s have lost their hind legs. |
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*[[Tetrapod]]s have four legs. |
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*[[ |
*[[Panarthropoda]]: no less than four legs. Velvet worms and some arthropods have more than a dozen legs; a few species possess over one hundred. Despite what their names might suggest, [[centipede]]s ("hundred feet") may have fewer than twenty or more than 300 legs, and [[millipede]]s ("thousand feet") have fewer than 1,000 legs, (except [[Eumillipes]]) but up to 750. |
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==Components== |
==Components== |
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==Tetrapod legs== |
==Tetrapod legs== |
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[[File:Mammoth leg.png|thumb|The leg of a [[woolly mammoth]] (reconstruction).]] |
[[File:Mammoth leg.png|thumb|upright=0.6|The leg of a [[woolly mammoth]] (reconstruction).]] |
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| ⚫ | In [[tetrapod]] [[anatomy]], ''leg'' is used to refer to the entire [[Limb (anatomy)|limb]]. In human medicine the precise definition refers<ref>{{cite web |
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| ⚫ | In [[tetrapod]] [[anatomy]], ''leg'' is used to refer to the entire [[Limb (anatomy)|limb]]. In human medicine, the precise definition refers<ref>{{cite web |title=Leg |work=Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) |publisher=National Library of Medicine |url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2007/MB_cgi?mode=&term=Leg&field=entry |access-date=18 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151236/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2007/MB_cgi?mode=&term=Leg&field=entry |archive-date=22 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leg |work=Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Healthcare Consumers |publisher=Mercksource |url=http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/five/000058188.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20111014042937/http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/five/000058188.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=18 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|leg}}</ref> only to the segment between the [[knee]] and the [[ankle]]. This lower segment is also called the ''shank'',<ref>{{cite book |last=Kardong |first=Kenneth V. |date=2009 |title=Vertebrates: Comparative anatomy, function, evolution |edition=5th |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=978-0-07-304058-5 |page=340}}</ref><ref>{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|shank}}</ref> and the front (anterior) of the segment is called the ''shin'' or ''pretibia''. |
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| ⚫ | |||
*[[Human leg]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
==Arthropod leg== |
==Arthropod leg== |
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==Robotic leg== |
==Robotic leg== |
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A [[robotic leg]] is moved by an [[actuator]], which is a type of [[Engine|motor]] for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, [[hydraulic fluid]] pressure or [[pneumatic]] pressure, and converts that energy into |
A [[robotic leg]] is moved by an [[actuator]], which is a type of [[Engine|motor]] for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, [[hydraulic fluid]] pressure or [[pneumatic]] pressure, and converts that energy into motion. |
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==Prosthetic leg== |
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[[File:86 ACPS Atlanta 1996 Swimming General Views.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cameron de Burgh]], an Australian Paralympic swimmer, who has a prosthetic leg]] |
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A [[prosthesis|prosthetic]] leg is an artificial leg that is used to replace one that has been lost. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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* {{commons-inline}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} |
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[[Category:Animal locomotion]] |
[[Category:Animal locomotion]] |
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Revision as of 03:04, 24 August 2024
| Leg | |
|---|---|
 Diagram of an insect leg | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | membrum inferius |
| TA98 | A01.1.00.031 |
| TA2 | 156 |
| FMA | 24879 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
A leg is a weight-bearing and locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts".[1] The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element capable of changing length and rotating about an omnidirectional "hip" joint.
As an anatomical animal structure, it is used for locomotion. The distal end is often modified to distribute force (such as a foot). Most animals have an even number of legs.
As a component of furniture, it is used for the economy of materials needed to provide the support for the useful surface, such as the table top or chair seat.
Terminology
- Uniped: one leg, such as clams
- Biped: two legs, such as humans and birds
- Triped: three legs, which typically does not occur naturally in healthy animals
- Quadruped: four legs, such as dogs and horses
Many taxa are characterized by the number of legs:
- Tetrapods have four legs. Squamates of genus Bipes have only two. Caecilians and many squamate lineages convergently lost their legs. Cetaceans and Sirenians have lost their hind legs.
- Panarthropoda: no less than four legs. Velvet worms and some arthropods have more than a dozen legs; a few species possess over one hundred. Despite what their names might suggest, centipedes ("hundred feet") may have fewer than twenty or more than 300 legs, and millipedes ("thousand feet") have fewer than 1,000 legs, (except Eumillipes) but up to 750.
Components
A leg is a structure of gross anatomy, meaning that it is large enough to be seen unaided. The components depend on the animal. In humans and other mammals, a leg includes the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, and skin. In insects, the leg includes most of these things, except that insects have an exoskeleton that replaces the function of both the bones and the skin.
Sometimes the end of the leg, or foot, is considered part of the leg; other times it is considered separate. Similarly, the hip joint or other place where the leg attaches to the main body may be considered separate or part of the leg.
Tetrapod legs
In tetrapod anatomy, leg is used to refer to the entire limb. In human medicine, the precise definition refers[2][3][4] only to the segment between the knee and the ankle. This lower segment is also called the shank,[5][6] and the front (anterior) of the segment is called the shin or pretibia.
In bipedal tetrapods, the two lower limbs are referred to as the "legs" and the two upper limbs as "arms" or "wings" as the case may be. In quadrupedal tetrapods, the limbs are generally called forelegs, fore legs or front legs and hindlegs, hind legs or back legs.
Arthropod leg
Robotic leg
A robotic leg is moved by an actuator, which is a type of motor for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. It is operated by a source of energy, usually in the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid pressure or pneumatic pressure, and converts that energy into motion.
Prosthetic leg
A prosthetic leg is an artificial leg that is used to replace one that has been lost.
References
- ^ "Studies in the Mechanics of the Tetrapod Skeleton". Biologists.org. Archived from the original on 9 July 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
- ^ "Leg". Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). National Library of Medicine. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
- ^ "Leg". Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Healthcare Consumers. Mercksource. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
- ^ "leg". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
- ^ Kardong, Kenneth V. (2009). Vertebrates: Comparative anatomy, function, evolution (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-07-304058-5.
- ^ "shank". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
External links
Media related to Leg at Wikimedia Commons
