PELVIC LIMBS 



695 



Its surface is marked by a number of foramina for the transmis- 

 sion of vessels to the cancellated tissue of the extremity and by three 

 distinct depressions for the attachment of ligaments. The anterior 

 depression lies just posterior to the entire front margin and the ante- 

 rior end of the internal lateral margin. It is semilunar in shape, 

 with the convexity pointing forward and inward. It lodges the 

 upper end of the posterior crucial ligament of the knee-joint. The 

 two other depressions lie at the superior part of the notch, one on each 

 side, close to the articular surface. The external depression is oval 

 and is the larger, and marks one end of attachment of the anterior 

 crucial ligament ; the internal depression is circular and smaller, and 

 affords attachment to the external semilunar cartilage. 



FIG. 534. 



Epiphysisfor' 

 Head. 



Epiphysisfor 



(.-{renter Tro- 

 chanter. 



Epiphysisfor 



Lesser Trochan 



ter. 



Shaft. 



Epiphysisfor 

 - Greater Tro- 

 chanter. 



Lmver Extrem ity. 



Posterior Surface. Anterior Surface. 



PLAN OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FEMUR BY FIVE CENTRES. 







Nomenclature. Femur is the Latin for the thigh, but is now 

 used for the bone of the thigh, which, strictly speaking, should be 

 termed os femoris. Os coxce has been employed for the femur. The 

 German term is das Oberschenkelbein, the French, le femur. 



Determination. If the femur be held vertically, with the head 



