Femur Flashcards
What is the femur?
The only bone in the thigh
What is the femur classed as?
A long bone
What is the main function of the femur?
To transmit forces from the tibia to the hip joint
What does the femur act as?
The place of origin and attachment of many muscles and ligaments
What can the femur be split into?
Three areas, proximal, shaft, and distal
What does the proximal area of the femur form?
The hip joint with the pelvis
What does the proximal area of the femur consist of?
A head and neck
Two bony processes called trochanters
Bony ridges connecting the trochanters
What does the head of the femur have?
A smooth surface, with a depression on the medial surface
What is the depression on the head of the femur for?
Attachment of the ligament of the head
What happens to the head of the femur at the hip joint?
It articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis
What does the neck of the femur do?
Connects the head of the femur with the shaft
What shape is the neck of the femur?
Cylindrical
In what direction does the neck of the femur project?
Superior and medial
What does the angle of projection of the neck of the femur allow for?
An increased range of movement at the hip joint
What is the greater trochanter?
A projection of bone
Where does the greater trochanter originate from?
The anterior shaft, just lateral to where the neck joins
How is the greater trochanter angled?
Superiorly and posteriorly
Where can the greater trochanter be found?
Both on the anterior and posterior sides of the femur
What is the greater trochanter the site of?
Attachment of the abductor and lateral rotator muscles of the leg
How does the lesser trochanter differ from the greater trochanter?
It is much smaller
Where does the lesser trochanter project from?
The posteromedial side of the shaft, just inferior to the neck-shaft junction
What is the lesser trochanter the site of?
Attachment of the psoas major and iliacus muscles
What is the intertrochanteric line?
A ridge of bone
Where does the intertrochanteric line run?
In an inferomedial direction on the anterior surface of the femur, connecting the two trochanters together
What attaches to the intertrochanteric line?
The iliofemoral ligament
What is the iliofemoral ligament?
A very strong ligament of the hip joint
What happens after the intertrochanteric line passes the lesser trochanter on the posterior surface?
It becomes known as the pectineal line
What is the intertrochanteric crest?
A ridge of bone that connects the two trochanters together
Where is the intertrochanteric crest located?
On the posterior surface of the femur