Bone Identification: Hip, Femur, and Patella

Hip Bone

  • Acetabulum: Smooth, looming surface, not sheer.
  • Iliac Crest:
    • Located at the superior part of the hip.
    • When you place your hands on top of your hips, this is what your hands would rest upon.
  • Iliac Spines (Pay close attention to labeling completely):
    • Anterior:
      • Anterior Superior Iliac Spine
      • Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine
    • Posterior: Posterior iliac spines (superior and inferior)
  • Sciatic Notches:
    • Greater Sciatic Notch: Deep.
    • Lesser Sciatic Notch: Relatively shallow.
    • The ischial spine is located between the two sciatic notches.
  • Ischial Tuberosity: Large roughened area.
  • Obturator Foramen: Very large. Like the foramina of the skull, they are passageways for blood vessels and nerves.

Medial View of Hip Bone

  • Auricular Surface:
    • Where the sacrum forms a joint with the hip bones.
    • The word auricle is like the outer ear.
  • Iliac Fossa: Depression on the medial side of the ilium.
    • A depression is a fossa.

Femur

  • Head: Expanded portion of bone.
  • Neck: Constricted portion.
  • Trochanters: Raised areas on the proximal femur.
    • Greater Trochanter:
      • Superior in placement.
      • Named in terms of its relative mass.
    • Lesser Trochanter
  • Intertrochanteric Line:
    • Located on the anterior aspect.
    • Connects the trochanters.
    • May be almost imperceptible on plastic models, but visible on real femurs.
  • Intertrochanteric Crest:
    • Located on the posterior aspect (ridge - not a line).
    • Connects the trochanter.
    • Easily visible on plastic models and real femurs.
  • Linea Aspera:
    • A line or ridge on the posterior aspect that extends about halfway down the shaft.
  • Condyles: Articular surfaces distally on the femur.
    • Medial Condyle
    • Lateral Condyle
    • Visible more easily from the posterior view but extend towards the anterior surface.
  • Epicondyles:
    • Medial Epicondyle
    • Lateral Epicondyle
    • Located just proximal to the condyles.
  • Intercondylar Fossa:
    • A depression or fossa between the medial and lateral condyles (posterior view).
  • Patellar Surface: A relatively smooth surface where the patella (kneecap) moves during flexion and extension of the knee joint.

Patella

  • Sesamoid Bone: Definition: A bone that forms within a tendon.
  • Base: Broad, flat surface (proximal part).
  • Apex
  • Facets (Posterior View): Articular surfaces where a joint is formed.
    • Lateral Facet: Larger or wider.
    • Medial Facet