FEMUR. 



119 



Fig. 57 * 



extends from the symphysis pubis to the middle of the promontory of the 

 sacrum, and measures four inches. The transverse 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 corresponding 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 symphy- 

 sis pubis to the apex of the coccyx ; and the transverse, 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 ob- 

 liquely 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 inwards, 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 process, 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 trochanter 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 tubercle upon the 

 posterior and inner side of the bone, the trochanter mi- 

 nor. 



The shaft of the femur is convex and rounded in 



* The right femur, seen upon the anterior aspect. 1. The shaft. 2. The head. 3 

 The neck. 4. The great trochanter. 5. The anterior intertrochanteric line. 6 The 

 lesser trochanter. 7. The external condyle. 8. The internal condyle. 9. The tubero 

 sity for the attachment of the external lateral ligament. 10. The fossa for the temioi, 

 of origin of the. popliteus muscle. 11. The tuberosity for the attachment of the interim : 

 lateral ligament. 



