Week 19 - Osteology of the Lower Limb Flashcards
What is the only bone in the thigh and the longest bone in the body?
The femur
The femur serves as a critical structural component in the human body.
What are the three parts of the femur?
- Proximal
- Shaft
- Distal
What joint does the proximal aspect of the femur articulate with?
The acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint.
What are the two bony processes found in the proximal femur?
- Greater trochanter
- Lesser trochanter
What is the function of the head of the femur?
Articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis to form the hip joint.
What is the angle of projection of the neck of the femur to the shaft?
Approximately 135 degrees.
What muscles attach to the greater trochanter?
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
- Piriformis
- Vastus lateralis
What can cause an avulsion fracture of the greater trochanter?
Forceful contraction of the gluteus medius.
What is the location and function of the lesser trochanter?
Projects from the posteromedial side of the femur; site of attachment for iliopsoas.
What is the intertrochanteric line?
A ridge of bone that runs in an inferomedial direction on the anterior surface of the femur.
What ligament attaches at the intertrochanteric line?
The iliofemoral ligament.
What is the intertrochanteric crest?
A ridge of bone connecting the two trochanters located on the posterior surface of the femur.
What is the clinical relevance of neck of femur fractures?
Common in the elderly due to low energy falls; more prevalent in women.
What are the two main groups of neck of femur fractures?
- Intracapsular
- Extracapsular
What is the typical consequence of an intracapsular neck of femur fracture?
Potential damage to the medial femoral circumflex artery leading to avascular necrosis.
What is the linea aspera?
Roughened ridges of bone on the posterior surface of the femoral shaft.
What does the medial border of the linea aspera become proximally?
The pectineal line.
What is the distal end of the femur characterized by?
The presence of medial and lateral condyles.
What articulates with the medial and lateral condyles of the femur?
The tibia and patella.
What is the intercondylar fossa?
A deep notch on the posterior surface of the femur between the two condyles.
What ligaments attach at the intercondylar fossa?
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
True or False: The medial epicondyle is larger than the lateral epicondyle.
True.
Fill in the blank: The distal femur has rounded areas called _______.
[medial and lateral condyles]
What can cause a fracture of the femoral shaft?
Typically a high energy injury; can occur in the elderly due to low energy falls.