Femur

Question 1

What is the femur?

What are the divisions of the femur?

Answer 1

The only bone of the thigh and the longest bone in the body, provides attachment of ,any muscles and ligaments
Proxmial, shaft, distal

Question 2

What joint does the proximal femur form?

What structures are found in the proximal femur?

Answer 2

Hip joint, articulates with the acetabulum.

Head, Neck, Greater trochanter, lesser trochanter, Intertrochanteric line, Intertrocatic crest

Question 3

Describe the function of the head, neck and greater trochanter

Answer 3

Head- articulates with acetabulum to from pelvis. Has a depression (fovea) where ligamentum teres attatches
Neck-Connects head of femur with shaft. Has an angle of 135 degrees to allow a greater range of movement
Greater trochanter- Lateral projection of palpable bone. Sit of attachment for glut.med, glut min and piriformis. Varis lateralis originates from here.

Question 4

What is a neck of femur fracture

Answer 4

Fractures typically sustained by elderly females. Usually causes an upwards and laterally rotated femur. This manifests clinically as a shortened and externally rotated limb Two types of fractures:
Intercapsular- within hip joint capsule, may damage media femoral artery and cause avascular necrosis of head
Extracapsular- Blood supply to the head of the femur is intact. Avascular necrosis is a rare complication.

Question 5

Describe the course of the shaft of the femur

What is the main structure found on the shaft of the femur?

Answer 5

Descends in a slight medial direction. Brings the knee closer to the bodies centre of gravity.
Linea aspera- line running down the middle of the shaft of the humerus. Forms the:
Pectineal line- Gluteal tuberosity- attachment point of glut max Medial and lateral supracondylar lines-

Question 6

What is found on the distal end of the femur?

Answer 6

Medial and lateral condyles- Rounded areas at the end of the femur, posterior and inferior surface articulate with tibia. Anterior surfaces articulate with patella.
Medial and lateral epicondyles- bony elevations on the non articular areas of the condyle. Medial and lateral collateral knee ligaments originate from their respective epicondyles
Intercondylar fossa- Deep notch on posterior aspect of the knee- provides attachment point for ACL (medial aspect of lateral epicondyle) and PCL (lateral aspect of the medial condyle)