The entire leg contains four bones:

• Femur: thighbone
• Patella: kneecap
• Tibia: thick bone in the front of the lower leg (the shin)
• Fibula: thin bone on the side of the lower leg

The lower leg contains two long bones, called the tibia and fibula. The front of the tibia is called the shin. The muscles of the lower leg control movement of the foot and ankle.

The tibialis anterior muscle is the largest muscle in the front of the leg. It raises, or dorsiflexes the foot (opposite of pointing the toes).

Leg anatomy examples:

• Muscles and bones of the leg
• Regions of the lower leg where tenderness may be a sign of a fracture
• Tibialis anterior muscle