THE BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB 



237 



insertion of the tendon of the adductor magnus. Superiorly, for 

 about an inch, this ridge gives insertion to a portion of the adductor 

 magnus, and below the femoral groove to an expansion from its 

 tendon. 



The shaft presents three surfaces, anterior and two lateral, 

 but these merge gradually into one another, except posteriorly in 

 the situation of the linea aspera over the middle third. The 

 anterior and external surfaces over about their upper three-fourths 

 give origin to the crureus. The internal surface is non-muscalar, 

 and presents a characteristic elongated bare strip, which is merely 

 covered by the vastus internus. The lower fourth of the anterior 

 surface at its upper part gives origin to the subcrureus, and lower 



External Tuberosity 



External Ci^ndyle 



Interna] Tuberosity 



Internal Condyle 

 Patellar Facet (in extreme flexion) 



Intercondylar Fossa 



Fig. 139. — The Lower Extremity of the Right Femur. 



down is cov^ered by the suprapatellar bursa, and the pouch which 

 the s3aiovial membrane of the knee-joint sends upwards above the 

 patellar surface of the bone. 



The lower end of the shaft presents many nutrient foramina for 

 the passage of branches of the anastomotica magna of the super- 

 ficial femoral, and the articular branches of the popliteal, arteries. 



The lower extremity presents an extensive articular surface, 

 which is divided into three parts — anterior or patellar, and two 

 postero-inferior or condylar. All three surfaces are continuous in 

 front, but the condylar surfaces are widely separated behind by the 

 intercondylar fossa. The patellar surface is trochlear, and presents 

 a vertical groove with a convexity on either side. The groove is to 

 the inner side of th^ centre, and the part external to it is broader, 

 more prominent, and extends higher, than the internal part. The 



