Bones of the Hind Limb of a Rat
The hind limb of a rat, like that of other mammals, consists of a complex arrangement of bones and muscles that work together to facilitate movement, provide support, and maintain balance.
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Femur (Thigh Bone): The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the hind limb of the rat. It articulates with the hip bone at the hip joint and with the tibia and fibula at the knee joint.
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Tibia and Fibula (Lower Leg Bones): The tibia is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the lower leg, while the fibula is thinner and runs alongside the tibia. These bones articulate with the femur at the knee joint and with the bones of the foot at the ankle joint.
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Patella (Kneecap): The patella is a small, flat bone located in front of the knee joint. It protects the knee joint and assists in the extension of the leg.
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Tarsal Bones (Ankle Bones): The tarsal bones are a group of small bones that form the ankle joint. They articulate with the tibia and fibula proximally and with the bones of the foot distally.
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Metatarsals: The metatarsals are long bones located in the foot, between the ankle bones and the toe bones. They provide support and flexibility to the foot.
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Phalanges (Toe Bones): The phalanges are the bones of the toes. Rats typically have three phalanges in each toe, except for the first toe (hallux), which may have only two.
Rat Navigation
Step 1: Body Regions
Step 2: External Features
Step 3: Expose the Muscles
Step 4: Expose the Bones
Step 5: Head & Neck
Step 6: Thoracic & Abdomen
Step 7: Urogenital System