Question
Question: Describe the fore and hind limbs of man....
Describe the fore and hind limbs of man.
Solution
A limb can be described as a joined, prehensile, appendage present in humans. Humans are classified under superclass Tetrapoda, which means four legs or appendages are present. The limbs in humans as well as other animals are used for locomotion such as walking, running, or climbing. In humans, limbs are also used for holding and grasping objects.
Complete answer:
-In humans, the limbs are the main organ of movement and locomotion. The limbs are attached to the part of the shoulder and the pectoral girdle. The humans are tetrapod animals and bear two pairs of limbs. The limbs that are present in the upper portion of the body and are included as a part of the shoulder are called the forelimbs. The forelimbs in man are developed into arms. The lower pair of limbs that is attached to the pectoral girdle are known as hind limbs and they form the legs. The arms and legs are connected to the torso or the trunk of the body.
-Forelimb is defined as the pair of limbs that is present at the anterior part of the body and it is attached to the portion of the shoulder through bones and ligaments. The forelimb in man forms the arm and the hand. Arm is the upper portion of the forelimb and it extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow joint. The other portion of the forelimb extends from the elbow joint to the hand portion. The important bone of the arm is the humerus. It joins with the scapula and with the other long bones which are known as the ulna and the radius. The humerus joins with ulna and radius at the elbow joint. In addition to the bones, it receives a large number of veins, arteries and blood supply capillaries.
-The hind limbs are the posterior limbs of the body which are situated towards the proximal part of the body. The hindlimbs are known as legs in man and aids in bipedalism. It includes the foot and the thigh. The tibia bone along with the smaller fibula makes up the front of the lower leg portion. The important bones of the hindlimbs or legs are femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals and digits. The hindlimbs are used for walking, running etc.
Note: The limbs are the appendages that are attached to the skeletal framework of the body. Humans bear two pairs of limbs which are the forelimbs and the hindlimbs. The forelimbs are present at the anterior part of the body and are also known as arms. The hindlimbs are the posterior limbs and are known as legs. The arm in man is prehensile and exhibits thumb opposability while the legs are used for locomotion.