Lecture Notes: Appendicular Skeleton - Femur

Overview

• Presenter: Professor McCurry
• Topic: The appendicular skeleton, focusing on the femur.
• Key Focus: Understanding the structure and orientation of the femur.

Anatomy of the Femur

General Structure

• Two femurs: right and left.
• Distal End: Location of the knee.
• Head: Rounded, located on the medial side.

Anterior vs. Posterior

• Anterior Side: Currently observed.
• Posterior Side: Contains distinct features like the lesser trochanter and a raised ridge.

Key Features of the Femur

• Head and Neck: Similar to the humerus but positioned medially.
• Greater Trochanter: Located laterally, analogous to the humerus' greater tubercle.
• Lesser Trochanter: Positioned on the posterior side.
• Intertrochanteric Crest: Connects the trochanters.
• Gluteal Tuberosity: Attachment point for gluteal muscles.

Differences Between Femur and Humerus

• Femur is "flipped" front to back compared to the humerus.
• Knee vs. Elbow: Knee bends backwards, elbow bends forward.

Posterior Femur Features

• Linea Aspera: Muscle attachment site.

Distal End Features

• Condyles: Smooth areas at the knee.
  • Medial and Lateral Condyles
• Epicondyles: Located above the condyles.
  • Medial and Lateral Epicondyles
• Intercondylar Fossa: Located between the condyles.

Additional Details

• Fovea Capitis: Indentation on the head of the femur.

Determining Right vs. Left Femur

• Orientation can help determine if a femur is right or left; the head on medial side and placing it on the lateral side relative to the body.
• Visualize the anterior side of a person to correctly identify right or left femur.