Tagajäsemed

Tagajäsemed is an Estonian word that translates to "hind legs" or "hind limbs" in English. It refers to the posterior pair of limbs in a quadrupedal animal. These limbs are typically used for propulsion, locomotion, and support. In many animals, the hind legs are larger and more muscular than the forelimbs, as they bear a greater proportion of the animal's weight and are responsible for pushing the body forward.

The anatomy of tagajäsemed can vary significantly between species, reflecting their specific modes of locomotion and ecological niches. For instance, in hopping animals like kangaroos, the hind legs are exceptionally powerful and adapted for saltatorial movement. In running animals like horses or cheetahs, they are long and streamlined for speed. In animals that climb, such as primates, the hind legs may be adapted for grasping and providing stability. The structure includes bones analogous to the human femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges, though their proportions and articulations differ. The musculature attached to these bones dictates the strength and range of motion of the hind limbs. The term is primarily used in zoology and comparative anatomy when discussing the physical characteristics and functional morphology of animals.