Which of the following hind limb bones is equivalent to the humerus of the forelimb?
Answer Details
The femur is the hind limb bone that is equivalent to the humerus of the forelimb.
The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm of mammals that connects the shoulder to the elbow. In the hind limb of mammals, the femur is the long bone that connects the hip to the knee.
The femur and the humerus have a similar structure and function, as they are both weight-bearing bones that support the body and allow for movement. They also have similar shapes, with rounded heads that fit into sockets to form joints.
In contrast, the other hind limb bones listed - patella, tarsal, tibia, and fibula - have different shapes and functions compared to the humerus.
The patella is the kneecap, a small, triangular bone that sits in front of the knee joint and helps to protect the joint and increase the leverage of the thigh muscles.
The tarsal bones are a group of seven bones in the ankle that help to support the foot and enable movement.
The tibia and fibula are the two long bones in the lower leg that connect the knee to the ankle. The tibia is the larger and stronger of the two, and is the main weight-bearing bone in the lower leg. The fibula is a thinner bone that runs alongside the tibia and helps to provide support and stability to the ankle joint.
Therefore, the femur is the hind limb bone that is equivalent to the humerus of the forelimb, as they have a similar structure, function, and shape.