PELVIS. FEMUR. 95 



sacro-pubic or conjugate ; 2. tranverse ; and 3. oblique. The an- 

 tero-posterior extends from the symphysis pubis to the middle of the 

 promontory of the sacrum, and measures four inches. The tranverse 

 extends from the middle of the brim on one side to the same point on 

 the opposite, and measures five inches. The oblique extends from 

 the sacro-iliac symphysis on one side, to the margin of the brim cor- 

 responding with the acetabulum on the opposite, and also measures 

 five inches. 



The diameters of the outlet are two, antero-posterior, and transverse. 

 The antero-posterior diameter extends from the lower part of the sym- 

 physis pubis to the apex of the coccyx ; and the tranverse, from the 

 posterior part of one tuberosity to the same point on the opposite side ; 

 they both measure four inches. The cavity of the pelvis measures in 

 depth four inches and a-half, posteriorly ; three inches and a-half in the 

 middle ; and one and a half at the symphysis pubis. 



FEMUR. The femur, the longest bone of the skeleton, is situated 

 obliquely in the upper part of the lower limb, articulating by means 

 of its head with the acetabulum, and inclining inwards as it descends, 

 until it almost meets its fellow of the opposite side at the knee. In 

 the female this obliquity is greater than in the male, in consequence 

 of the greater breadth of the pelvis. The femur is divisible into a 

 shaft, a superior, and an inferior extremity. 



At the superior extremity is a rounded head, directed upwards and 

 in wards, and marked just below its centre by an oval depression for 

 the ligamentum teres. The head is supported by a neck, which varies 

 in length and obliquity according to sex and at various periods of life, 

 being long and oblique in the adult male, shorter and more horizontal 

 in the female and in old age. Externally to the neck is a large pro- 

 cess, the trochanter major, which presents upon its anterior surface 

 an oval facet, for the attachment of the tendon of the gluteus minimus 

 muscle ; and above, a double facet, for the insertion of the gluteus 

 medius. On its posterior side is a vertical ridge, the linea quadrati 

 for the attachment of the quadratus femoris muscle. Upon the inner 

 side of the troclianter major is a deep pit, the trochanteric or digital 

 fossa, in which are inserted the tendons of the pyriformis, gemellus 

 superior and inferior, and obturator externus and internus muscles. 

 Passing downwards from the trochanter major in front of the bone is 

 an oblique ridge, which forms the inferior boundary of the neck, the 

 anterior intertrochanteric line ; and behind, another oblique ridge, the 

 posterior intertrochanteric line, which terminates in a rounded tu- 

 bercle upon the posterior and inner side of the bone, the trochanter 

 minor. 



The shaft of the femur is convex and rounded in front, and covered 

 with muscles ; and somewhat concave and raised into a rough and pro- 

 minent ridge behind, the linea aspera. The linea aspera near the 

 upper extremity of the bone divides into three branches. The anterior 

 branch is continued forwards in front of the lesser trochanter, and is 



