What are a mouse's legs called? - briefly
A mouse possesses two forelimbs and two hindlimbs, each terminating in a small paw. The forelimbs handle grasping and manipulation, while the hindlimbs generate propulsion.
What are a mouse's legs called? - in detail
A mouse possesses four limbs that are anatomically classified as forelimbs and hindlimbs. Each forelimb ends in a hand, technically a manus, while each hindlimb terminates in a foot, known as a pes. The forelimbs contain the humerus, radius, and ulna bones, followed by the carpal (wrist) and metacarpal (palm) structures, and finally the phalanges that form the tiny claws. The hindlimbs comprise the femur, tibia, and fibula, then the tarsal (ankle) and metatarsal (mid‑foot) bones, concluding with the phalanges of the toes.
Key features of mouse limbs:
- Musculature – highly developed for rapid, precise movements; forelimb muscles control grasping, hindlimb muscles drive jumping and sprinting.
- Joint articulation – ball‑and‑socket shoulder joint, hinge elbow, flexible wrist; hip joint allows extensive range of motion, knee and ankle joints enable powerful propulsion.
- Digit arrangement – forelimbs typically display five digits, with the innermost digit reduced; hindlimbs usually have five digits, the fifth often vestigial.
- Innervation – brachial plexus supplies the forelimbs, lumbosacral plexus supplies the hindlimbs, providing fine sensory feedback essential for navigation.
In comparative anatomy, these structures correspond to the generic mammalian terms “forelimb” (anterior limb) and “hindlimb” (posterior limb). In laboratory contexts, researchers refer to the “forepaws” and “hindpaws” when describing behavioral assays or morphological measurements. The precise nomenclature—manus for the front extremity and pes for the rear—facilitates clear communication across zoological, veterinary, and biomedical literature.