Chap. IV.] 



THE SKELETON. 



31 



end being separated from its 

 fellow by a considerable inter- 

 val, which corresponds to the 

 entire breadth of the pelvis, 

 but the bone inclines gradu- 

 ally downwards and inwards, 

 so as to approach its fellow 

 towards its lower part, in order 

 to bring the knee-joint near the 

 line of gravity of the body. The 

 degree of inclination varies in 

 different persons, and is greater 

 in the female than the male, on 

 account of the greater breadth 

 of the pelvis. The upper ex- 

 tremity of the femur, like that 

 of the humerus, consists of a 

 rounded head joined to the 

 shaft by a constricted neck, and 

 of two eminences, called the 

 greater and lesser trochanters. 

 The head articulates with the 

 cavity in the os innominatum, 

 called the acetabulum. The 

 lower extremity of the femur is 

 larger than the upper, is flat- 

 tened from before backwards, 

 and divided into tAvo large emi- 

 nences or condyles by an inter- 

 vening notch. It articulates 

 with the tibia and the patella, 

 or knee-pan. 



The patella, or knee-cap, is 

 a small flat triangular bone 

 placed in front of the knee- 

 joint, which it serves to pro- 

 tect. It is separated from the 

 skin by a bursa. (See page 51.) 



The tibia is situated at the front and inner side of the leg, and 

 forms what is popularly known as the shin bone. In the male, its 



Fig. 22. — The Femur, b, rounded 

 head; 7i, neck; jr^r, greater trochanter ; 

 Itr, lesser trochanter. 



