|
In common usage, a human leg is the lower limb of the body, extending from the hip to the ankle, and including the thigh, the knee, and the cnemis. In human anatomical terms, the leg is the part of the lower limb that lies between the knee and the ankle. This article generally follows the common usage.
The leg from the knee to the ankle is called the cnemis (nee'mis). The calf is the back portion and the shin is the front.
Legs are often used for standing, walking, jumping, running, kicking, and similar activities, and are a significant portion of a person's mass. The largest bone in the human body, the femur, is in the leg. Legs are often used metaphorically in many cultures to indicate either strength or mobility. The supporting columns of an object may be referred to as legs as well, as in chair legs.
Adolescent and adult females in many Western cultures often remove the hair from their legs. Toned, tanned, shaved legs are sometimes perceived as a sign of youthfulness and are often considered attractive in these cultures.
|
