pernas

Pernas is the Portuguese plural of perna, meaning legs. In humans, as in many vertebrates, the legs are the lower limbs used for standing, walking, and running. The term appears in everyday speech and in medical descriptions of anatomy and movement.

Anatomically, the leg comprises the upper leg (femur) with the knee, and the lower leg (tibia and fibula) ending at the ankle and foot. The knee is a hinge joint; the femur is the longest bone. Muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles power movement. The leg is supplied by the femoral artery and innervated by nerves from the lower spine.

Function and movement: The legs enable standing, balance, and locomotion. Gait involves stance and swing phases coordinated by the nervous system and muscles. Proper alignment and strong musculature support efficient walking and running.

Health and variation: Common issues include fractures, sprains, shin splints, and knee osteoarthritis. Leg length discrepancy and misalignment can affect gait. Beyond humans, legs are adapted in many species for varied locomotion, from walking and running to leaping.