298 



THE THIGH AND LEG. 



[chap 



sion near the middle of the surface of the head into which 

 the U^^anientuin teres of tlie hip joint is inserted. Both 

 ha;ament and deoression are, however,^ 

 wanting in the Orang Utan, Seals, Sea- .- 

 Otter, Elephant, Sloths, and the Mono- 

 tremata. 



Immediately below the neck of the 

 femur are two tuberosities, called tro- 

 chanters. One (//) is a comparatively 

 small, conical eminence, situated rather 

 to the preaxial side, and called the 

 lesser trochanter. The other {gt) is 

 generally very prominent, projecting 

 upwards, as high or higher than the top 

 of the head, situated mainly on the 

 postaxial border of the bone, but curv- 

 ing inwards and backwards at its ex- 

 tremity ; this is called the great tro- 

 cJianter. To the posterior side of its 

 base there is usually a deep depres- 

 sion, the digital fossa. 



In some Mammals, as the Perisso- 

 dactyle Ungula.tes, some Rodents and 

 Edentates, there is a compressed ridge 

 for muscular attachments, on the post- 

 axial side of the shaft, a short distance below the great 

 trochanter, distinguished as the third trochanter. (See Fig. 

 no, /', p. 303.) 



The distal extremity of the femur is thickened, and has a 

 large trochlear articular surface for the bones of the leg. 

 This surface is narrow in front, and bounded by more or less 

 prominent ridges ; posteriorly it is divided by a deep median 

 notch {intei-condylar) into two prominent rounded eminences, 



Fic 



[09. 



Right human 

 femur, doisal or ante- 

 rior aspect, 1. 1 he 

 boundary lines of the 

 various epiphyses are 

 shown, h head ; n neck ; 

 gt greater trochanter ; 

 it lesser trochanter ; cc 

 extcrnal condyle ; ic ui- 

 ternal condyle. 



