THE BONES OF THE POSTERIOR LIMB 



211 



mediately distal to the head, there is a triangular elevation, the les- 

 ser or second trochanter (trochanter minor s. secundus) . Pos- 

 teriorly, these projections form a smooth surface for muscle attach- 

 ment, except, however, at the base of the trochanter major, where 



Fig. 96. Anterior surface of the left femur: c.I. and cm., lateral and 

 medial condyles; cl.f., neck of femur; cp.f., articular portion (head); e.l. 

 and e.m., lateral and medial epicondyles; f.p., patellar surface; t.mi., 

 trochanter minor; t.mj., trochanter major, including t.p. and t.t., the first 

 and third trochanters. 



the surface of the bone presents a deep, though narrow, depression, 

 the trochanteric fossa ( fossa trocharbterica). 



The distal extremity bears an extensive surface for articulation 

 with the tibia. It is divided into two portions, known as the me- 

 dial and lateral condyles, through the presence of a deep excava- 

 tion, the intercondyloid fossa (fossa intercondyloidea). Imme- 



