SKETCHING THE LEG FRONT VIEW

SKETCHING THE LEG FRONT VIEW

Bones The fe mur (B), with its great trochanter at the top (A) and outer epicandyles (e) and inner epicandyles (D) at the base, is the heaviest and longest bone of the skeletalsys­ tern. The knee cap (patella) sits in between the outer epicandyles and inner epicandyles on the patellar surface. The lower leg consists of the thick tibia (I) and the slender fibula (H). The tibial tuberosity (F) and head of the fibula (G) are important landmarks at the top, as are the ankle bones (the inner malleolus and outer malleolus). 

Muscles The upper leg has four major muscle masses: vastus externu s, which attaches to the knee cap (E); rectus fe moris, which engulfs the patella (E) and continues toward the tibial tuberosity (F); vastus internus, a medial bulge; and the adductor group on the inside of the leg. There also are two other masses: the tensor fascia lata and the sartorius. The sartorius is the longest muscle in the body. The lower leg has six long muscles visible: gastrocnemius, protruding on both sides; tibialis anterior, running along the shin toward the big toe; soleus; flexor digitorum longus; extensor digitorum longus; and peroneus longus.

Drawing Tips The legs angle in toward the middle, positioning the body's weight over the gravitational center. (See figures 1 and 2.) The muscle masses on the outside of the leg are higher than those on the inside. (See figure 3.) The ankles are just the reverse-high inside, low outside.