Anatomy Lecture: The Femur Bone

Overview

• The femur is the only bone that forms the thigh, part of the appendicular skeleton.
• Classified as a long bone and is the longest, biggest, and strongest bone in the human skeleton.

Structure of the Femur

• Head of the Femur

  • Ball-like structure on the superior portion.
  • Forms a ball and socket synovial joint with the acetabulum of the hip bone.
  • Contains a tiny pit called the fovea capitis for the attachment of the ligament of the head of the femur.

• Neck of the Femur

  • Connects the head to the shaft.
  • Surrounded by the joint capsule of the hip.

• Trochanters

  • Greater Trochanter
    • Larger bony process, located laterally.
    • Muscle attachment site for piriformis, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and vastus lateralis.
    • Landmark for cane fitting and monitoring for pressure ulcers.
  • Lesser Trochanter
    • Smaller, located more medially.
    • Muscle attachment site.

• Intertrochanteric Line and Crest

  • Intertrochanteric Line
    • Anterior side, connects trochanters.
    • Attachment for joint capsule and iliofemoral ligament.
  • Intertrochanteric Crest
    • Posterior side, ridge connects trochanters.
    • Attachment for quadratus femoris.

Posterior Features

• Gluteal Tuberosity

  • Allows attachment of gluteus maximus.
  • Located on the posterior side.

• Linea Aspera

  • Rough line down posterior shaft.
  • Forks into medial and lateral supracondylar lines for muscle attachment.

• Supracondylar Lines

  • Medial Supracondylar Line
    • Toward midline.
  • Lateral Supracondylar Line
    • Extends toward lateral epicondyle, attachment for fibular collateral ligament.

Distal Features

• Condyles and Epicondyles

  • Lateral and Medial Condyles
    • Articulate with patella and tibia to form tibiofemoral joint.
  • Lateral and Medial Epicondyles
    • Above condyles, attachment for adductor Magnus and gastrocnemius muscles.

• Adductor Tubercle

  • On top of medial condyle, insertion for adductor Magnus tendon.

• Patellar Surface

  • Smooth articulation with patella.

• Intercondylar Notch

  • Separates medial and lateral condyles.
  • Provides attachment for ACL and PCL.

Additional Resources

• Free quiz available on the website.
• Anatomy video playlist for further study.
• Encouragement to subscribe for more content.

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These notes cover the main structural features and anatomical details of the femur bone as discussed in the lecture.