forelegget

Forelegget is a term that refers to the front limb of a quadrupedal animal. This limb is primarily used for locomotion, supporting the animal's weight as it walks, runs, or jumps. The structure of the foreleg is adapted to the specific needs of the species, reflecting its evolutionary history and ecological niche.

In mammals, the foreleg generally consists of the scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone), radius and ulna (forearm bones), carpals (wrist bones), metacarpals (bones of the palm), and phalanges (finger bones). This basic skeletal arrangement is highly conserved across many mammalian groups, though modifications in size, shape, and proportion are common. For instance, the forelegs of a horse are elongated and specialized for galloping, while those of a mole are shorter and broader, adapted for digging.

Birds also possess forelimbs, which have evolved into wings for flight. While the underlying bone structure shares homologies with mammalian forelimbs, the adaptations for aerial locomotion are significant. The bones are often lighter and fused in certain areas to provide a rigid framework for flight. Reptiles and amphibians also have forelegs with a similar fundamental structure, though the number of digits and the specific arrangement of bones can vary. The foreleg's role in sensory perception, such as through the paws of many mammals, also adds to its functional complexity.