The Femur

Proximal Femur Head of the femur Neck of the femur Greater trochanter Fovea capitis Neck of the femur Greater trochanter Lesser trochanter Intertrochanteric line Intertrochanteric crest

Head of the femur Articular surface which articulates with the acetabulum of the coxal bone Fovea capitis Pit in head of femur Attachment of the ligamentum teres (ligament of the head of the femur)

Neck of the femur Distal attachment of synovial membrane and articular capsule of the hip joint to the distal part of the neck The joint capsule forms a cylindrical sleeve that encloses the hip joint and most of the neck

Greater Trochanter Attachment site for many muscles Lateral surface Insertion of gluteus medius muscle Medial surface Insertion of superior gemellus, obturator internus, and inferior gemellus muscles through a common tendon

Gluteus medius

Common insertion of superior and inferior gemelli and the obturator internus muscles

Trochanteric fossa Pit on medial surface of greater trochanter Insertion of obturator externus muscle

Superior border of greater trochanter Insertion of piriformis muscle

Anterior border of greater trochanter Insertion of gluteus minimus muscle Posterior border Rounded free edge

Intertrochanteric Line Anterior surface of femur Rough line on femur Attachment of iliofemoral ligament (Y-ligament of Bigelow) Attachment of pubofemoral ligament

Intertrochanteric Crest Posterior surface of femur Prominent ridge on femur Connects the greater and lesser trochanters

Shaft of the Femur Anterior surface Lateral surface Medial surface Posterior aspect of femur Linea aspera Superior extensions Inferior extensions

Anterior Surface of Femur Upper ¾ Origin of vastus intermedius muscle Lower ¼ Origin of articularis genu muscle

Lateral and Medial Surface of Femur Lateral Surface of Femur Upper ¾: Origin of vastus intermedius muscle Medial Surface of Femur Covered by vastus medialis muscle which is not attached to it

Posterior Aspect of the Shaft of the Femur – linea aspera Medial lip – origin of the vastus medialis muscle Lateral lip – origin of the vastus lateralis muscle and the short head of the biceps femoris muscle Intermediate lip – insertion of the adductor brevis, longus and magnus muscles

Superior extensions of the linea aspera Gluteal tuberosity Lateral superior extension of linea aspera Insertion of deep fibers of gluteus maximus Pectineal line Extension of linea aspera toward the lesser trochanter – Insertion of pectineus muscle Spiral line Continuation of medial lip around medial border of femur – part of origin of vastus medialis muscle

Inferior extensions of the linea aspera Medial supracondylar ridge Origin of vastus medialis muscle Insertion of adductor magnus muscle Lateral supracondylar ridge Origin of vastus lateralis muscle Origin of short head of the biceps femoris msucle Origin of plantaris muscle

Distal End of Femur Medial and lateral condyle Patellar surface Medial epicondyle Adductor tubercle Lateral epicondyle Intercondylar fossa

Condyles of the femur Patellar Surface Medial and lateral condyles Articulate with the medial and lateral condyles of the tibia Patellar Surface Articulates with posterior surface of patella

Medial Epicondyle Attachment of medial (tibial) collateral ligament Origin of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle from posterior epicondyle Adductor tubercle Superior to medial epicondyle Insertion of adductor magnus muscle

Lateral Epicondyle Attachment of lateral (fibular) collateral ligament Above posterior lateral epicondyle – origin of lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle Posterior depression – origin of popliteus muscle The muscle tendon travels through a groove on the lateral epicondyle

Intercondylar fossa (notch) Intercondylar ridge – upper limit of fossa on the posterior aspect of the femur Joint capsule follows the ridge Lateral wall Attachment of ACL to posterior and upper wall Medial wall Attachment of PCL to lower and anterior wall