continuous with the anterior intertrochanteric line ; the middle is con- 

 tinued directly upwards into the linea quadrati ; and the posterior, 

 broad and strongly marked, ascends to the 

 Fig. 41.* base of the trochanter major. Towards the 



lower extremity of the bone the linea aspera 

 divides into two ridges, which descend to the 

 two condyles, and enclose a triangular space 

 upon which rests the popliteal artery. The 

 internal condyloid ridge is less marked than 

 the external, and presents a broad and shallow 

 groove, for the passage of the femoral artery. 

 The nutritious foramen is situated in or near 

 the linea aspera, at about one-third from its 

 upper extremity, and is directed obliquely 

 from below upwards. 



The lower extremity of the femur is broad 

 and porous, and divided by a smooth depres- 

 sion in front, arid by a large fossa (fossa in- 

 tercondyloidea) behind, into two condyles. 



The external condyle is the broadest and 

 most prominent, and the internal the narrow- 

 est and longest ; the difference in length de- 

 pending upon the obliquity of the femur, in 

 consequence of the separation of the two bones 

 at their upper extremities by the breadth of 

 the pelvis. The external condyle is marked 

 upon its outer side by a prominent tuberosity, 

 which gives attachment to the external lateral 

 ligament ; and immediately beneath this is 

 the fossa, which lodges the tendon of origin of 

 the popliteus. By the internal surface it gives 

 attachment to the anterior crucial ligament of 

 the knee-joint ; and by its upper and posterior 

 part, to the external head of the gastrocnemius 

 and to the plantaris. The internal condyle pro- 

 jects upon its inner side into a tuberosity, to 

 which is attached the internal lateral ligament ; 

 above this tuberosity, at the extremity of the 

 internal condyloid ridge, is a tubercle, for the 



insertion of the tendon of the adductor magnus ; and beneath the 

 tubercle, upon the upper surface of the condyle, a depression, from 

 which the internal head of the gastrocnemius arises. The outer 



* The right femur, seen upon the anterior aspect. 1. The shaft. 2. The 

 head. 3. The neck. 4. The great trochanter. 5. The anterior intertrochan- 

 teric line. 6. The lesser trochanter. 7. The external condyle. 8. The inter- 

 nal condyle. 9. The tuberosity for the attachment of the external lateral liga- 

 ment. 10. The fossa for the tendon of origin of the popliteus muscle. 11. The 

 tuberosity for the attachment of the internal lateral ligament. 



