Benen

Benen are the paired limbs that support the body and enable locomotion. In Dutch usage, been refers to a leg from the hip to the foot, and benen is the plural. In humans and many animals, the legs bear body weight, absorb impact, and provide propulsion during movement.

Anatomically, a leg contains bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and vessels. The main bones are the femur in the thigh, the patella (kneecap), the tibia and fibula in the lower leg, and the foot bones (tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges). The hip, knee, and ankle joints allow movement through flexion and extension, with some rotation at the hip. Major muscle groups include the thigh muscles (gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings) and the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus). Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments stabilize joints.

Leg function enables standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing. They transfer forces between the ground and the body, adapt to uneven surfaces, and support balance and posture. Gait is a coordinated pattern of hip, knee, and ankle movements, aided by core strength and upper-body control.

Development and health: leg bones grow from cartilage during childhood and reach full length after puberty. Joints and bones can be affected by injuries such as fractures, sprains, and ligament tears, and by degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis with age. Prevention and treatment focus on safe activity, nutrition, and rehabilitation, with medical intervention when needed.