Upper leg

The upper leg, also known as the thigh, is the area between the hip and the knee in the human body. It contains many structures including the femur, the longest and strongest bone in the body, and numerous muscles, arteries, nerves, and veins.

Anatomy

Bones

The primary bone in the upper leg is the femur. It is the longest and strongest bone in the human body, capable of supporting 30 times the weight of an adult human. The femur connects the hip to the knee.

Muscles

The upper leg contains several major muscle groups, including the quadriceps, the hamstrings, and the adductors. The quadriceps are a group of four muscles on the front of the thigh that work together to extend the knee. The hamstrings are a group of three muscles on the back of the thigh that function to flex the knee and extend the hip. The adductors are a group of muscles on the inner thigh that work to pull the leg toward the midline of the body.

Arteries, Veins, and Nerves

The main artery in the upper leg is the femoral artery, which supplies blood to the leg. The main vein is the femoral vein, which carries blood back to the heart. The largest nerve in the upper leg is the sciatic nerve, which controls many of the muscles in the lower leg and provides sensation to the skin of the foot and the majority of the lower leg.

Function

The upper leg plays a crucial role in human locomotion, including walking, running, and jumping. It also plays a key role in maintaining balance and stability.

Health and Disease

Common health problems affecting the upper leg include fractures of the femur, muscle strains, and nerve damage. Diseases such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease can also affect the health of the upper leg.

See Also

• Lower leg
• Human skeleton
• Muscular system
• Circulatory system
• Nervous system