DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

65

Phalanges are the 14 slender bones that form the fingers and thumb

Fibula is the smaller bone of the lower leg

Phalanges are the

14 slender bones that form the toes

Metatarsals are the five long bones that connect the toes to the middle part of the foot

Femur (thigh bone) is the longest bone

in the body

Tarsals are the seven bones that form the ankle, heel, and part

of the arch of the foot

7

HAND

Hinged at the wrist, the hand consists of 27 bones and many movable joints (knuckles), which enable it to perform a wide range of tasks. The human

thumb is opposable, which means that it can be rotated to touch the tips of each of the other fingers.

5

KNEE

The knee joint between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone)

is the strongest and most complex joint in the body. This hinge joint allows the leg to bend or straighten and supports the body’s weight during activities such as running, jumping, or kicking.

9

TOES

The phalanges of the toes are much shorter and less flexible than those of the fingers. The phalanges enable the body to stay upright and to stand on tiptoe. They also help to propel the body forwards during movement.

8

FOOT

Each foot consists of the ankle, sole, and toe bones, which support and move the body’s weight.

These bones also provide a flexible platform that pushes the body off the ground during movement and absorbs the shock on landing.

6

PELVIS

This strong, bowl-shaped structure consists of the two curved hip bones (pelvic girdle) and the sacrum. The pelvis supports the abdominal organs and attaches the thigh bones to

the rest of the skeleton.

Tibia (shin bone) forms joints with the femur and ankle bones

7

5

6

8

9

064_065_Skeleton.indd 65 17/01/19 11:49 AM