The pelvis is an important part of the skeleton. It:

• supports the trunk,
• protects the organs in the lower abdominal cavity, and
• is responsible for transfering the eight of the body to the legs and ground to allow locomotion.

The femur is the largest and stoutest bone in the body. It has a ball-shaped head that fits into the hip bone. Its lower end is connected to the tibia at the knee joint.

The patella (or knee cap) lies in front of the knww joint and protects it.

The tibia (also known as the shinbone) is the medial of the two bones of the lower leg. Only the tibia articulates with the femur at the knee joint.

Unlike the robust tibia, the fibula is a long, slender lateral bone. It is dorsal to the tibia.