1 82 ELEMENTARY ANATOMY. [LESS. 



which to the femur is indicated by a pit on the head of that 

 bone. It is also attached by a bag-like (or capsular} liga- 

 ment, which, extending from the innominate bone, is inserted 

 into the inter-trochariteric lines. 



It is the neck of the femur which is so often broken by 

 old persons, through alteration, not only in the texture, but 

 also in the shape of the bone : for with age the neck comes to 

 form with the shaft a less and less open angle, and the bone 

 is thus less and less adapted to resist vertical pressure. 



Itr 



FIG. 155. POSTERIOR SURFACE OF UPPER PART OF RIGHT FEMUR OF MAN. 



ir, intertrochanteric ridge ; g tr, great trochanter ; / tr, lesser trochanter ; n, 

 neck ; /, pit in the head of the femur for the ligamentiim feres. 



Fracture of the neck of the bone is called a fracture within 

 the capsule, because the part broken is within the capsular 

 ligament. Such a fracture can never be adjusted, the leg 

 being drawn up by the muscles and shortened, producing 

 incurable lameness for the rest of life. 



On the outer side of the hinder part of the femur, a little 

 below the great trochanter, is a more or less marked vertical 

 ridge, which serves for the insertion of the gluteus maximus 

 muscle. 



At the lower end of the femur are two prominences named 

 condyles (see Fig. 154), separated behind by a median de- 

 pression. 



The external condyle is the larger, and more forwardly pro- 

 jecting ; its articulating surface is also broader and ascends 

 higher on the front of the bone. On its outer surface is a pit 

 for the tendon of the popliteus muscle, immediately above 

 which is a projection named the external tuberosity. 



The internal condyle is longer, and descends lower down 

 than the external one. On its inner side is a projection called 

 the internal tuberosity. 



The articular surfaces of the femur meet in front, and form 



