Lower extremities

Inferior member
Lateral aspect of right leg
Details
Identifiers
Latin	membrum inferius
MeSH	A01.378.610.500
Dorlands /Elsevier	Leg
FMA	7184
Anatomical terminology []

The human leg, in the general meaning, is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region. However, the definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.

Legs are used for standing, walking, jumping, running, kicking, and dancing and similar activities, and constitute a significant portion of a person's mass. Female legs generally have greater hip anteversion and tibiofemoral angles, but shorter femur and tibial lengths than those in males.

In human anatomy, the lower leg is the part of the lower limb that lies between the knee and the ankle, the thigh is between the hip and knee and the term "lower extremity" is used to describe the colloquial leg. This article generally follows the common usage.

The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis /ˈniːmɪs/ or crus. The calf is the back portion and the shin is the front. The tibia and fibula are the two bones of the crus.