Editing Rabbit (section)

===Hind limb elements===
[[File:Rabbit hind limb skeleton.jpg|thumb|left|A specimen of the skeletal articulations of rabbit's hind limbs in the [[Pacific Lutheran University]] natural history collection]]
The anatomy of rabbits' hind limbs is structurally similar to that of other land mammals and contributes to their specialized form of locomotion. The bones of the hind limbs consist of long bones (the [[femur]], [[tibia]], [[fibula]], and [[phalanges]]) as well as short bones (the [[Navicular bone|tarsals]]). These bones are created through [[endochondral ossification]] during fetal development. Like most land mammals, the round head of the femur [[Articulation (anatomy)|articulates]] with the [[acetabulum]] of the [[os coxae]], the hip bone. The femur articulates with the tibia, but not the fibula, which is fused to the tibia. The tibia and fibula articulate with the tarsals of the [[Pes (anatomy)|pes]], commonly called the foot. The hind limbs of the rabbit are longer than the front limbs. This allows them to produce their hopping form of locomotion. Longer hind limbs are more capable of producing faster speeds. Hares, which have longer legs than [[cottontail rabbit]]s, are able to move considerably faster.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/practicalanatom00bensgoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/practicalanatom00bensgoog/page/n5 1]|quote=rabbit skeletal anatomy.|title=Practical anatomy of the rabbit|last=Bensley|first=Benjamin Arthur|date=1910|publisher=The University Press}}</ref> The hind feet have four long toes that allow for digitigrade movement, which are webbed to prevent them from spreading when hopping.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/rabbits/description-and-physical-characteristics-of-rabbits#v34404688|title=Description and Physical Characteristics of Rabbits – All Other Pets – Merck Veterinary Manual|work=Merck Veterinary Manual|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref> Rabbits do not have paw pads on their feet like most other animals that use digitigrade locomotion. Instead, they have coarse compressed hair that offers protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exoticpetvet.net/smanimal/rabanatomy.html|title=Rabbit Anatomy|last=D.A.B.V.P.|first=Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M.|website=exoticpetvet.net|access-date=2018-05-11}}</ref>

====Musculature====
[[File:Lateral view of rabbit hind limb.jpg|thumb|The rabbit's hind limb (lateral view) includes muscles involved in the quadriceps and hamstrings.]]

Rabbits have muscled hind legs that allow for maximum force, maneuverability, and acceleration that is divided into three main parts: foot, thigh, and leg. The hind limbs of a rabbit are an exaggerated feature. They are much longer and can provide more force than the forelimbs,<ref name=":6" /> which are structured like brakes to take the brunt of the landing after a leap.<ref name=":7">{{Citation |last1=Khan |first1=Madiha |title=Lagomorpha Locomotion |date=2021 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior |pages=1–6 |editor-last=Vonk |editor-first=Jennifer |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1199-1 |access-date=2024-10-08 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1199-1 |isbn=978-3-319-47829-6 |last2=Suh |first2=Angela |last3=Lee |first3=Jenny |last4=Granatosky |first4=Michael C. |editor2-last=Shackelford |editor2-first=Todd|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The force put out by the hind limbs is contributed by both the structural anatomy of the fusion of the tibia and fibula, and by the muscular features.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last1=Lumpkin |first1=Susan |last2=Seidensticker |first2=John |date=2011 |title=Rabbits: the animal answer guide |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=978-1-4214-0126-3|location=Baltimore|oclc=794700391}}</ref>

Bone formation and removal, from a cellular standpoint, is directly correlated to hind limb muscles. Action pressure from muscles creates force that is then distributed through the skeletal structures. Rabbits that generate less force, putting less stress on bones are more prone to osteoporosis due to bone [[rarefaction]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Geiser |first1=Max |last2=Trueta |first2=Joseph |title=Muscle action, bone rarefaction and bone formation |journal=The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume |date=May 1958 |volume=40-B |issue=2 |pages=282–311 |doi=10.1302/0301-620X.40B2.282 |pmid=13539115 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In rabbits, the more fibers in a muscle, the more resistant to fatigue. For example, [[hare]]s have a greater resistance to fatigue than [[Cottontail rabbit|cottontails]]. The muscles of rabbit's hind limbs can be classified into four main categories: [[hamstring]]s, [[Quadriceps femoris muscle|quadriceps]], [[dorsiflexors]], or [[plantar flexors]]. The quadriceps muscles are in charge of force production when jumping. Complementing these muscles are the hamstrings, which aid in short bursts of action. These muscles play off of one another in the same way as the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors, contributing to the generation and actions associated with force.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lieber |first1=Richard L. |last2=Blevins |first2=Field T. |title=Skeletal muscle architecture of the rabbit hindlimb: Functional implications of muscle design |journal=Journal of Morphology |date=January 1989 |volume=199 |issue=1 |pages=93–101 |doi=10.1002/jmor.1051990108 |pmid=2921772 |s2cid=25344889 }}</ref>