Anatomy of Femur
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Femoral Head | The rounded proximal end of the femur that fits into the hip socket (acetabulum); has the fovea capitis for ligament attachment; covered with articular cartilage. |
Femoral Neck | The narrow portion just below the femoral head that connects the head to the shaft; transmits load and allows hip motion. |
Trochanteric Region | The area with the greater trochanter and lesser trochanter and the intertrochanteric line/crest; serves as attachment sites for muscles. |
Shaft (Diaphysis) | The long, central portion of the femur; includes the linea aspera, slight bowing, and nutrient foramen. |
Condyles (Medial & Lateral) | The two rounded prominences at the distal end of the femur that articulate with the tibia at the knee joint; includes cartilage surfaces. |
Intra-articular | Portions of the bone (or structures) that lie inside a joint capsule (e.g. femoral head inside the hip joint). |
Extra-articular | Portions of the bone (or structures) outside the joint capsule (e.g. shaft, trochanters). |