7 - Femur Flashcards
What is the main function of the femur?
To transmit forces from the tibia to the hip joint
What is this a picture of?
Proximal femur
What does the proximal femur form?
The hip joint via articulation with the pelvis
What is the proximalfemur made up of?
A head, a neck and two bony processes called trochanters, connected by two bony ridges
What is A?
The head, articulates with acetabulum
What is the point of the smooth surface of the head?
Provides point of attachment for ligament of the head
What is B?
The neck
What is C?
The great trochanter, the site of attachment of abductor and lateral rotator muscles of the leg
What is F?
Lesser trochanter, forms attachment for Psoas Major and iliacus muscle
What is I?
Intertrochanteric lineIliofemoral ligament attach here, which is a very strong ligament of the hip joint
What is the intertrochanteric line known as after it passes the lesser trochanter on the posterior surface?
The pectineal line
What is D?
The intertrochanteric crest
What is the rounded tubercle on the superior half of the proximal femur caled?
The quadrate tubercle, where the quadratus femoris attaches
What are the two classifications of femur neck fractures?
Subcapital and trochanteric
What is a subcapital fracture?
Result of a minor trip or stumble - Intracapsular fracture of femoral neck where head can undergo avascular necrosis as its blood supply is disrupted by the fractureThe distal fragment is pulled upwards and rotated laterally. This can be seen clinically by a shorter leg length and the toes pointing laterally.
What demographic is most at risk of subcapital fractures?
Elderly, most commonly women
What demographic are trochanteric fractures common in?
Young and middle aged people
What is the difference between a subcapital fracture and a trochanteric fracture? What is a similarity?
Extracapsular and no avascular necrosis occursHowever, leg is shortened and laterally rotated
What is the blood supply to the femoral neck?
The medial circumflex femoral artery
What is A?
Pectineal line
What is B?
Gluteal tuberosity
What is C?
Line aspera
What is D?
Medial supracondylar line
What is E?
Lateral supracondylar line
