THE FEMUR. 



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part. It presents two sharp margins and a flat interval. The external divi- 



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15- 



19- 





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Fig. 97. Fig. 97. — Femur of a Male froji behind 



(A.T.) i 



4, 5, 7, S, 9, 10, and 1-3, the same as in the 

 preceding figure ; 2', pit on the bead for the 

 round ligament of the hip-joint ; 3', the back of 

 the neck, showing a slight groove of the obturator 

 exteruus muscle as it passes over the capsular 

 ligament and neck ; between 4 and 5, the pos- 

 terior intertrochanteric ridge ; 14, rough im- 

 pression of the attachment of the gluteus 

 maximus muscle in the ujjjier and outer continua- 

 tion of the linea aspera ; 15, two lines running 

 .'^'^CT f,> I up towards the lesser trochanter from the linea 



aspera, marking the attachments of the ad- 

 ductor brevis and pectineus muscles ; Ifi, fiat 

 -24 elevated surface of the linea aspera ; 17, fiat 



triangular popliteal surface between the lower 

 divisions of the linea aspera ; 18, intercondylar 

 notch ; 19, foramen for the nutritive or medul- 

 lary vessels. 



sion of its superior bifurcation passes 

 up to the great trochanter, and in its 

 course is strongly marked where the 

 gluteus maximus is attached ; the in- 

 ternal division terminates in front of 

 the small trochanter. The inferior 

 divisions terminate at the tuberosi- 

 ties of the condyles, and enclose be- 

 tween them a flat triangular surface 

 of bone, which is free from muscular 

 attachments, and forms the floor of 

 the upper part of the popliteal space. 

 Towards the superior part of the linea 

 aspera is the foramen for the medullary 

 vessels, directed upwards into the bone. 

 The uiferior extremity presents two 

 rounded eminences, the conitijles, united 

 anteriorly, but separated posteriorly liy 

 iidee]ii)ife)-co)idylar fossa or)wfch. Their 

 greatest prominence is dii'ccted back- 

 wards, and their curve, as it increases 

 towards that part, may be compared 

 to that of a partially uncoiled piece of 

 watch-spring. The external condyle is 

 the broader and more prominent in 

 front ; the internal is the longer and 

 more prominent inferiorly. One large 

 articular surface, coated continuously 

 with cartilage, extends over both con- 

 dyles, but, oiDposite the front of the 

 intercondylar fossa, it is divided by 

 j^ ^.-ui.:i>.- two slight linear depressions into three 



^ ^ parts, an elevated surface on each side 



of the fossa for articulation with the tibia ; and a grooved anterior surface 



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