THE FEMUR 



241 



neck is embedded in the medial surface of the tro- 

 chanter major, by which,, at its upper and dorsal 

 part, it is to some extent overhung. Here is situ- 

 ated the trochanteric fossa, into which the tendon of 

 the obturator externus is inserted. Passing nearly 

 horizontally across the back of the neck there is a 

 faint groove leading into this depression ; in this 

 the tendon of the obturator externus muscle lies. 

 Distally the neck becomes confluent with the tro- 

 chanter minor behind, and is continuous with the 

 medial surface of the body in front. The neck is 

 pierced 'by many vascular canals, most numerous at 

 the proximal and dorsal part. Some are directed 

 proximally towards the head, whilst others pass 

 in the direction of the trochanter major. 



The trochanter major (greater trochanter) is 

 a large quadrangular process which caps the proxi- 

 mal and lateral part of the body, and overhangs 

 the root of the neck above and behind. Its lateral 

 surface, of rounded irregular form, slopes up- 

 wards and medially, and is separated from the 

 lateral surface of the body distally by a more or 

 less horizontal ridge. Crossing it obliquely from 

 the posterior superior to the anterior inferior angle 

 is a rough line which serves for the insertion of the 



HEAD 



OBTURATOR EXTERNUS 



OBTURATOR INTERNUS 



PIT FOR 

 LIG. TERES" 



NECK 



.TROCHANTERIC FOSSA 

 INTERTROCHANTERIC CREST 



LESSER TROCHANTER 



GREATER 

 TROCHANTER 



SPIRAL LIN 

 PECTINEAL LINE 



ARTERIAL FORAMEN 



LlNEA ASPERA 



FIG. 240. DORSAL VIEW OF THE PROXIMAL PART OF 

 THE RIGHT FEMUR. 



FIG. 239. DORSAL ASPECT OF THE 

 PROXIMAL PORTION OF THE RIGHT 

 FEMUR WITH THE ATTACHMENTS OF 

 MUSCLES MAPPED OCT. 



glutseus medius muscle; both 

 proximal and distal to this the 

 surface of the bone is smoother 

 and is overlain by bursse. The 

 ventral surface, somewhat oblong 

 in shape, and inclined obliquely 

 from below upwards and medi- 

 ally, is elevated from the general 

 aspect of the body, from which 

 it is separated in front by 

 an oblique line leading upwards 

 and medially to the tubercle at 

 the upper end of the superior 

 part of the intertrochanteric 

 line. This surface serves for the 

 insertion of the glutseus mini- 

 mus. The superior border is 

 curved and elevated ; into it 

 are inserted the tendons of the 

 obturator internus and gemelli 

 muscles medially and in front, 

 and the piriformis muscle above 

 and behind. The dorsal border 

 is thick and rounded, and forms 

 the upper part of the inter- 

 trochanteric crest. The angle 

 formed by the superior and 

 dorsal borders is sharp and 

 pointed, and forms the tip of 

 the trochanter overhanging the 

 trochanteric fossa, which lies 

 immediately below and medial 

 to its medial surface. 



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