femur Flashcards
this is the longest, heaviest and strongest bone in the body
its length is about ¼ that of the body and its average length is about 18 inches (45 cm)**
FEMUR
standing position, the femur transmits weight from the pelvic bone to the
tibia
The femur consists of
shaft, proximal and distal ends
at the proximal end of the femur, the rounded head is found, which articulates with the acetabulum of the
pelvic bone to form the
hip joint
on the head of the femur is a pit or depression, known as the
fovea capitis
What is attached to the fovea capitis of the femur
capitis
femoris ligament
Just lateral to the head of the femur is the ….
Neck
What is is the angle called that is formed from the neck of the femur
the angle of
inclination
the proximal end of the femur shaft is marked by a large bony prominence called the
greater trochanter
on the femur where the greater trochanter meets the neck is a deep pit is called the…
trochanteric fossa
a blunt conical projection at the junction of the femurs inferior border of the neck with
the shaft
lesser trochanter
with the femur the trochanters are joined posteriorly by the
intertrochanteric crest
on the intertrochanteric crest of the femur is a prominent
bump called the
quadrate tubercle
anteriorly on the femur, the trochanters are connected by the
intertrochanteric line
the intertrochanteric line continues on the posterior aspect of the femur shaft as the
spiral line
a faint line or ridge that is found just inferior to the lesser trochanter of the femur
pectineal line
a roughened area found inferior to the greater trochanter of the femur is the
gluteal line or gluteal tuberosity
the three lines (spiral, pectineal and gluteal) on the femur come together to form the
linea aspera
prominent longitudinal ridge on the posterior aspect of the femoral shaft consists of a
medial and lateral lip
the distal end of the femur, what are the three articular surfaces
condyle, medial condyle and
the patellar facet
found just above each condyle on the distal femur are the are the
epicondyles
on the medial condyle, distal end of the femur is an added
projection called what?
adductor tubercle
between the distal femoral condyles is a depression known as the
intercondylar fossa
the most superior part of the intercondylar fossa (femur)
intercondylar line
distal posterior aspect of the bone is a triangular area known as the (femur)
popliteal surface
from five centers, a primary for the shaft and four secondary centers
the secondary centers are for the head, greater trochanter, lesser trochanter and the distal end
(condyles and epicondyles)
the bone completes its development by 15 years in a female and 17 ½ years in a male
Ossification of the Femur
the way the neck of the femur meets the shaft of the bone, an angle is formed that is known as the**
the angle of
inclination
the angle of
inclination at birth has an angle of **
145 degrees
the angle of
inclination at adulthood has an angle of**
125 degrees
An increase in the angle of inclination, which can occur with developmental dusplasia of the hip (congenital dislocation)**
coxa valga
A decrease in the angle of inclination, which occurs in fractures of the proximal part of the femur and in the condition known as rickets. causes a mild shortening of the affected limbs.**
coxa vara
even though it is the strongest bone in the body, it commonly fractured and the type of fracture that
occurs is frequently age and sex related
Fractures of the Femur
this is a fracture through the neck of the femur and are what we commonly call a “broken hip”**
fairly common, especially in older individuals who suffer from osteoporosis **
Subcapital Fractures
Subcapital Fractures often interrupt the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to a degeneration of the
head, a condition known as**
avascular necrosis
the neck of the femur receives a rich blood supply from branches of the**
femoral artery (medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries)
the head is supplied by a small branch of the**……………………which passes to the head within the
ligament of the femoral head
obturator artery
large sesamoid bone develops within the common tendon of insertion of the quadriceps
PATELLA
triangular shaped and the superior border is the (patella)
Base
the inferior border is the (patella)
Apex
posterior surface of the bone is marked by two ……………….. for articulation
with the patellar facet and condyles of the femur
articular surfaces (lateral and medial)
convex and marked by numerous foramina and longitudinal lines (patella)
the anterior surface
main function of the patella
Gives additional leverage to the the quadriceps during the last part of extension of the leg. This helps increase the power of the extension movement
is from a single center that appears early in the 3rd year of life and the bone is completely
ossified by 10 years in the female and 13 years in a male
ossification of the patella
