Femur

Intertrochanteric crest

elevated line on the posterior surface of the proximal femur between the greater and lesser trochanters. It passes from superolateral to inferomedial. just above its midpoint is a small tubercle (quadrate tubercle) which is the site of insertion of the quadratus femoris muscle a lateral Rotator of the femur.

Intercondylar fossa

non articular excavated surface between the distal and posterior articular surfaces of the condyles. Within the fossa are two facets that are the femoral attachment sites of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments a pair of crossed ligaments linking the femur and tibia. These ligaments strengthen the knee joint

Intercondylar line

on the posterior surface of the distal femur running between the superolateral corner of the medial condyle and the superomedial corner of the lateral condyle. it delineates the boundary between the popliteal surface and the intercondylar fossa

Head

rounded proximal part of the bone that fits into the acetabulum; constitutes more of a sphere than the hemispherical humeral head

Gluteal line

a long wide roughened posterolaterally placed feature that extends from the base of the greater trochanter to the lateral lip of the linea aspera. it can be a depression or can assume the form of a true tuberosity. If the latter is present it is often referred to as the third trochanter. it is the insertion for part of the gluteus maximus muscle and extensor abductor and lateral Rotator of the thigh at the hip that originates on the posterior half of the os coxae the sacrum and the coccyx

Patellar surface

a notched articular area on the anterior surface of the distal femur over which the patella Glides during flexion and extension of the knee. The lateral surface of this Notch is elevated projecting more anteriorly than the medial boundary of the notch. this helps prevent lateral dislocation of the patella during full extension of the knee

Groove for obturator externus

a shallow depression aligned laterally and Superior Lee across the posterior surface of the femoral neck. In hominids erect posture brings the tendon of the obturator externus muscle into contact with the posterior surface of the femoral neck creating the groove

Pectineal line

a short curved line that passes and fro laterally from the base of the lesser trochanter between the spiral line and gluteal tuberosity. it is the insertion of the pectineus muscle which originates from the pubic part of the Os coxae and acts to adduct laterally rotate and flex the thigh at the hip

Popliteal groove

a smooth Hollow on the posterolateral side of the lateral condyle. a Groove for the tendon of the popliteus muscle. this muscle originates from the impression just anteroinferior to the groove and it inserts on the posterior tibial surface. popliteus is a medial Rotator of the tibia at the knee

Adductor tubercle

a variable raised tubercle on the medial supracondylar line just superior to the medial epicondyle. it is an attachment point for the adductor Magnus a muscle originating on the lower edge of the ischiopubic ramus and ischial tuberosity. this muscle adducts the thigh at the hip

Lesser trochanter

blunt, prominent tubercle on the posterior femoral surface just inferior to the point where the neck joins the shaft; point of insertion of the iliopsoas tendon (common tendon of the iliacus muscle, originating in the iliac fossa, and the psoas major muscle, originating from the lumbar vertebrae and their disks); these muscles are major flexors of the thigh at the hip

Femoral neck

connects the femoral head with the shaft and the greater trochanter

Greater trochanter

large, blunt, nonarticular prominence on the lateral, proximal part of the femur; insertion site for the gluteus minimus (anterior aspect of the trochanter) and gluteus medius muscles (posterior aspect), both major abductors of the thigh and stabilizers of the hip; their origins are on the broad, flaring iliac blade of the os coxae; these muscles are crucial in stabilizing the trunk when one leg is lifted from the ground during bipedal locomotion

Fovea capitis

small, nonarticular depression near the center of the head of the femur; receives the ligamentum teres from the acetabular notch of the os coxae

Spiral line

spiraling inferior to the lesser trochanter connects the inferior end of the intertrochanteric line with the medial lip of the linea Aspera. is the origin of the vastus medialis muscle a part of the quadriceps femoris muscle a knee extensor that inserts on the anterior tibia via the patella

Lateral epicondyle

the convexity on the lateral side of the lateral condyle. it is an attachment point for the lateral collateral ligament of the knee. It's upper surface Bears a facet that is an attachment point for one head of the gastrocnemius muscle a flexor of the knee and plantarflexor of the foot at the ankle

Medial epicondyle

the convexity on the medial side of the medial condyle. It is an attachment point for the medial collateral ligament of the knee

Medial condyle

the large articular knob on the medial side of the distal femur. It's medial surface bulges away from the axis of the shaft. The medial condyle extends more distally than the lateral condyle

Lateral condyle

the large protruding articular knob on the lateral side of the distal femur

Linea aspera

the long wide roughened an elevated Ridge that runs along the posterior shaft surface. It collects the spiral line pectineal line and gluteal tuberosity proximally and divides into the medial and lateral supracondyloid ridges distally. The linea Aspera is a primary origin site for the vastus muscles and the primary insertion site of the adductor longus brevis and Magnus of the hip

Trochanteric fossa

the pit excavated into the posterior medial wall of the greater trochanter. this pit is for insertion of the tendon of obturator externus, a muscle that originates around and across the membrane that stretches across the obturator foramen of the os coxae. this muscle acts to rotate the thigh laterally at the hip. Just above its insertion the medial tip of the greater trochanter received several hip muscles the superior and inferior Gemelli, the obturator internus and the piriformis. the latter two are important abductors and all of these muscles can rotate the femur laterally

Patellar lip

the raised lateral margin of the patellar surface. The elevated patellar lip of hominids helps to prevent the dislocation of the patella during bipedal locomotion

Popliteal surface

the wide flat triangular area of the posterior distal femur. is bounded by the condyles inferiorly and by the supracondylar lines medially and laterally

Intertrochanteric line

variable fairly vertical roughened line that passes between the Lesser and greater trochanter is on the anterior surface of the base of the neck of the femur; superiorly this line anchors the iliofemoral ligament which is the largest ligament in the human frame. It acts to strengthen the joint capsule of the hip