Exam #5: Joints Flashcards
What covers the head of the femur?
Articular cartilage
What is the only part of the head of the femur that is NOT covered by articular cartilage?
Fovea capitis femoris
Where is the articular cartilage the strongest?
Superior portion of the head; it has to support the most weight
What is the articular surface of the acetabulum called?
Lunate surface of the acetabulum
Does the head of the femur extend into the acetabular fossa?
No
Describe the composition of the floor of the acetabulum.
The acetabulum does NOT forma complete circle, the floor is composed of a fibroelastic mass
What are the three main ligaments of the hip?
1) Iliofemoral ligament
2) Pubofemoral ligament
3) Ischiofemoral ligament
What is the main function of the ligaments of the hip?
Prevention of hyperextension
What is the strongest & widest ligament of the hip?
Iliofemoral ligament
What are the attachments of the iliofemoral ligament?
AIIS and intertrochanteric line
What are the specific functions of the iliofemoral ligament ?
Prevents hyperextension & external rotation
Where does the pubofemoral ligament attach?
Superior ramus of the pubis & obturator crest to iliofemoral ligament
What are the specific functions of the pubofemoral ligament?
Prevents hyperextension, external rotation, and ABduction
Describe the arrangement of the ischiofemoral ligament.
Spirals from the ischial body to the femoral neck
What is the functional outcome of the spiral arrangement of the ischiofemoral ligament?
Extension winds the spiraling ligaments & fibers more tightly, constricting the capsule & drawing the femoral head tightly into the acetabulum–>stability
What are the specific functions of the ischiofemoral ligament?
Prevents hyperextension & internal rotation
What is the Ligament Capitis Femoris?
Ligament of the head of the femur that attaches to the fovea of the femur & transverse acetabular ligament
What is the function of the Ligament Capitis Femoris?
Becomes tense when the FLEXED thigh is ADducted
*Also, note that it contains a small artery that is an important blood supply to the head of the femur (for growth) in children
What is the Acetabular Labrum?
“Lip of the Acetabulum”
- The Acetabular Labrum narrows the acetabulum to add stability
What is the Transverse Acetabular Ligament?
Continuation of the Acetabular Labrum across the Acetabular Notch
What are the two major sources of blood supply to the head of the femur?
1) Obturator a.
2) Medial & Lateral Circumflex Femoral a.
Describe the blood supply to the head of the femur from the Obturator a.
The Acetabular Branch comes off the Obturator a. & then gives rise to the Artery to the head of the femur, which passes through the Ligament Femoris Capitis
Describe the blood supply to the femur from the Femoral a.
The Femoral a. gives off the Profunda femoris a. Typically, the Medial & Lateral Circumflex Femoral a. branch from the Profunda & go to the femur, giving off Retinacular a.
What is the difference between a Basal & Subcapital fracture of the femur?
Basal= occurs at the base of the femoral neck–does not interrupt blood supply
Subcapital= occurs just under the head of the femur–blood supply to the head of the femur can be impaired, leading to avascular necrosis
What is the largest joint in the body?
Knee
*Note that despite being the largest, it is also the most unstable
What three bones make up the knee joint?
1) Femur
2) Patella
3) Tibia