THE FEMUR 53 



is roughened, and it gives attachment to one of the tendons of insertion 

 of the middle or great gluteus muscle. 



The superior extremity of the bone is very massive, and is made 

 up of the great trochanter, the articular head, and a non-articular, 

 slightly depressed area. 



The great trochanter is placed outw^ardly, and is divided into three 

 parts, termed respectively the summit, convexity, and the crest. The 

 summit surmounts the upper border of the convexity and also the 

 level of the articular head by an inch to tw^o inches, according to 

 the size of the subject. Superiorly the summit is roughened for the 

 attachment of one of the tendons of insertion of the middle gluteus 

 muscle. Its posterior border is continuous with the trochanteric ridge. 

 This is roughened, as is also its outer surface, which is slightly convex. 

 The convexity is placed in front of the summit, from which it is 

 separated by a well-defined, semi-circular outcut. The outer surface 

 of the convexity is smooth and convex, and upon it is placed, in the 

 living subject, a synovial sac or bursa, which facilitates the play over the 

 convexity of one of the tendons of the middle gluteus muscle. This 

 bursa is of great importance, since inflammation of it sets up what 

 is known as false hip lameness, which is described in the chapter 

 dealing with burss. Inwardly a portion of the convexity just below 

 its superior border is very rough, the roughest portion being in the 

 form of a curved line. This indicates the insertion of the deep gluteus 

 muscle. 



The crest is in the form of a roughened ridge, attached as it were 

 to the inferior portion of the outer surface of the convexity. It extends 

 from the base of the summit across the convexity in a direction which 

 is downwards and forwards, forming the inferior limit of the smooth 

 area upon which the bursa referred to lies. To the crest the tendon 

 of the middle gluteus muscle, which plays over the bursa, is attached. 



The articular head is a large hemispherical process which is placed 

 to the inner side of the superior extremity. Its surface is markedly 



