ANATOMY: Bone Structure of Femur
Trochanteric fossa of femur
Deep depression at the base of the greater trochanter Bounded posteriorly by the intertrochanteric crest
Spiral line of femur
Faint continuation of the intertrochanteric line on the posterior surface of femure Converges with pectineal line to form the medial lip of linea aspira
Pectineal line of femur
Line inferior from the lesser trochanter on the posterior surface of femur Converges with spiral line to form the medial lip of linea aspira
Patellar surface of femur
Space between the medial and lateral condyles on anterior surface of femur Extends posteriorly to form the intercondylar surface
Femur
The longest and heaviest bone of the body
Shaft of femur
The shaft is angled inferomedially from the trochanters Distal end is positioned near center of gravity to allow balance of full upper body weight on one limb during walking
Intertrochanteric line of femur
Variable ridge extending between lesser trochanter and greater trochanter on anterior surface of femur
Angle of inclination of femur
Angle created by the neck and shaft of femur Almost vertical at birth Angle decreases through age
Lateral supracondylar line of femur
As linea aspira extends down the posterior surface of femoral shaft, its lateral lip will course laterally to form the lateral supracondylar line of femur
Medial supracondylar line of femur
As linea aspira extends down the posterior surface of femoral shaft, its medial lip will course medially to form the medial supracondylar line of femur
Lateral condyle of femur
Lateral large rounded surface on distal portion of femur
Gluteal tuberosity of femur
Line extending from the base of greater trochanter on the posterior surface of femur Forms the lateral lip of linea aspira
Lesser trochanter of femur
Medial (slightly posterior) projection on posterior surface of femur
Medial condyle of femur
Medial large rounded surface on distal portion of femur
Neck of femur
Most narrow part of the femur Frequent site of fractures Angled superomedially from the trochanters
Adductor tubercle of femur
Small raised termination site of medial supracondylar line of femur
Fovea of femoral head
Small, concave, depression within the femoral head Only part of femoral head not covered in hyaline cartilage Serves as an attachment site for the ligament of head of femur
Intercondylar fossa of femur
Space between the medial and lateral condyles on posterior surface of femur Extends anteriorly to form the patellar surface
Head of femur
Spherical structure on proximal end of femur Covered in hyaline cartilage (except fovea)
Angle of declination of femur (Angle of torsion)
When viewing the femur from superiorly The axis of the head and neck angles anteriorly while the transverse axis of the femoral condyles remains flat in the coronal plane
Intertrochanteric crest of femur
Bony ridge extending between greater trochanter and lesser trochanter on posterior surface of femur
Lateral epicondyle
Projection from lateral surface of the lateral condyle of femur
Medial epicondyle
Projection from medial surface of the medial condyle of femur
Linea aspira
Ridge extending down the posterior surface of femoral shaft Consists of a medial and lateral lip
Greater trochanter of femur
Superior projection on posterior surface of femur
Popliteal surface of femur
Surface space located between the medial and lateral supracondylar lines of femur