THE SKELETON 



33 



cranial, and the ischium is the ventrocaudal portions of the 

 innominate bone. The last two form the symphysis by which 

 the right and left innominate bones are joined ventrally. The 

 ischiopubic suture passes through the ventral rim of the obtura- 

 tor foramen. 



Fig. 15. — Femur, A, cranial; and B, caudal view. GT, greater trochanter; 

 H, head; LC, lateral condyle; LER, lateral epicondylar ridge; LT, lesser tro- 

 chanter; MC, medial condyle; MER, medial epicondylar ridge; N, neck; PG, 

 patellar groove; S, shaft; IF, trochanteric fossa; TT, third (lateral) trochanter. 



The proximal third of the femur (Fig. 15) presents eight out- 

 standing anatomical points: The ball-shaped head, which articu- 

 lates with the acetabulum; the neck, a constriction distad to the 

 head; the lesser trochanter; nutrient foramen and linea aspera 

 are on the medial side. The great trochanter, a heavy, beak- 

 Hke process, surmounts the end of the femur and the lateral 

 (third) trochanter is opposite the lesser (medial) trochanter. 

 The trochanteric fossa, a deep pit for insertion of the tendon of 



