242 OSTEOLOGY. 



The lesser trochanter (trochanter minor) is an elevated pyramidal process 

 situated at the dorsal side of the medial and proximal part of the body, where that 

 becomes continuous with the distal and dorsal part of the neck. Confluent 

 above with the intertrochanteric crest, it gradually fades away into the dorsal 

 aspect of the body below. The combined tendon of the ilio-psoas is inserted into- 

 this process and into the bone immediately below it. 



The body (corpus femoris), which is characterised by its great length, is cylin- 

 drical in form. As viewed from the front, it is straight or but slightly curved ; as 

 seen in profile, it is bent forwards, the curve being most pronounced in its proximal 

 part. The body is thinnest at some little distance proximal to its middle ; distal 

 to this it gradually increases in width to support the condyles ; its antero- 

 posterior diameter, however, is not much increased distally. Its surfaces are 

 generally smooth and rounded, except behind, where, running longitudinally 

 along the centre of its curved dorsal aspect, there is a rough-lipped ridge, the 

 linea aspera. Most salient towards the middle of the body, the linea aspera 

 consists of a medial lip and a lateral lip, with a narrow intervening rough 

 surface. Proximally, about 2 to 2J inches from the trochanter minor, the linea 

 aspera is formed by the convergence of three lines. Of these the lateral is a rough, 

 somewhat elevated ridge, called the gluteal tuberosity which commences proxim- 

 ally, on the back of the body, lateral to and on a level with the trochanter minor, 

 and becomes continuous distally with the lateral lip of the linea aspera. This 

 serves for the bony insertion of the glutaeus maximus, and is occasionally de- 

 veloped into an outstanding process called the trochanter tertius. The medial 

 lip of the linea aspera is confluent proximally with a line which winds round 

 the body proximally and forwards, in front of the trochanter minor, to become 

 continuous with the intertrochanteric line (see p. 240). The whole consti- 

 tutes what is known as the spiral line, and extends from the anterior part of 

 the trochanter major proximally to the linea aspera distally. Intermediate in 

 position between the spiral line in front and medially, and the gluteal ridge 

 laterally, there is a third line, the pectineal line, which passes distally from 

 the trochanter minor and fades away into the surface between the two lips of 

 the linea aspera. Into this the pectineus muscle is inserted. About the junction 

 of the middle with the distal third of the body the two lips of the linea aspera 

 separate from one another, each passing in the direction of the epicondyle of the 

 corresponding side. The lines so formed are called the medial and lateral epi- 

 condylic lines, respectively, and enclose between them a smooth triangular area 

 corresponding to the back of the distal third of the body ; this, called the planum 

 popliteum (popliteal surface), forms the floor of the proximal part of the popliteal fossa. 

 The continuity of the proximal part of the medial epicondylic line is but faintly 

 marked, being interrupted by a wide and faint groove along which the popliteal artery 

 passes to enter the fossa of that name. Distally, where the line ends on the proxi- 

 mal and medial surface of the medial epicondyle, there is a little spur of bone 

 called the adductor tubercle, to which the tendon of the adductor magnus is attached, 

 and behind which the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle takes origin. 



The linea aspera affords extensive linear attachments to many of the muscles of the thigh. 

 The vastus medialis arises from the spiral line proximally and the medial lip of the linea aspera 

 distally. This muscle overlies but does not take origin from the medial aspect of the body. | 

 The adductor longus is inserted into the medial lip about the middle third of the length of the ; 

 body. The adductor magnus is inserted into the intermediate part of the line, extending to :' 

 the level of the trochanter minor, where it lies medial to the insertion of the glutaeus maximus. \ 

 Distally, its insertion passes on to the medial epicondylic ridge, reaching as far as the adductor 

 tubercle. The adductor brevis muscle is inserted into the linea aspera proximally, between the 

 pectineus and adductor longus muscles medially and the adductor magnus laterally. Distal to 

 the insertion of the glutseus maximus the short head of the biceps arises from the lateral lip as well 

 as from the lateral epicondylic line ; in front these also serve for the origin of the vastus lateralis 

 muscle. There is frequently a small tubercle which marks the distal attachment of the lateral i 

 intermuscular septum on the lateral condylic line, about two inches from the condyle. 

 Immediately proximal to this there is often a groove for a large muscular artery which pierces 

 the septum at this point (Frazer). 



The canals for the nutrient arteries of the body, which have a proximal direction, are usually i 

 two in number, and are placed on or near the linea aspera the proximal one about the level of the 

 junction of the middle and proximal third of the bone, the distal some three or four inches distal i 



