Lecture Notes on the Femur

Overview

• Focus on the anatomy of the femur, specifically the posterior and anterior views.
• Understand the key structures and their functions or associated muscle attachments.

Posterior View of the Femur

Key Structures

• Head of the Femur
  • Surrounded by articular (hyaline) cartilage.
  • Articulates with the acetabulum of the coccyx.
• Greater Trochanter
  • Large outgrowth on the femur.
• Lesser Trochanter
  • Smaller outgrowth below the greater trochanter.
• Intertrochanteric Crest
  • Crest between the greater and lesser trochanter.
• Gluteal Tuberosity
  • Attachment site for gluteal muscles.
• Linea Aspera
  • Serves as an attachment for hamstring muscles.
• Lateral Supracondylar Line
  • Located towards the lower part of the femur.
• Medial Supracondylar Line
  • Parallel to the lateral supracondylar line.

Condyles and Associated Structures

• Medial Condyle
• Lateral Condyle
• Intercondylar Fossa
  • Space between the condyles.

Epicondyles

• Medial Epicondyle
  • Has an adductor tubercle above it.
  • Attachment point for adductor muscles.
• Lateral Epicondyle

Anterior View of the Femur

Key Structures

• Head of the Femur
  • Remains the same as in the posterior view.
• Intertrochanteric Line
  • Less prominent than the crest seen in the posterior view.

Femur Shaft and Distal Epiphysis

• Shaft (Diaphysis) of the Femur
• Distal Epiphysis

Patellar Surface

• Patellar Surface
  • Location where the patella bone (sesamoid bone) sits.

Additional Points

• Fovea Capitis
  • Site for ligament attachments to the acetabulum.
• Surgical Neck of the Femur
  • Important anatomical landmark.

Summary

• Overview of the femur's anatomy and important structures.
• Understanding of muscle attachments and joint articulations related to the femur.