1G2 



OSTEOLOGY. 



behind, into two large eminences, the condyles (xoi/Suxoj, a knuckle}. The interval 

 is called the intercondyloid notch. The external condyle is the most prominent 

 anteriorly, and is the broadest both in the antero-posterior and transverse diameters. 

 The internal condyle is the narrowest, longest, and most prominent internally. 

 This difference in the length of the two. condyles is only observed when the bone 

 is perpendicular, and depends upon the obliquity of the thigh-bones, in conse- 

 quence of their separation above at the articulation with the pelvis. If the femur 

 is held obliquely, the surfaces of the two condyles will be seen to be nearly hori- 

 zontal. The two condyles are directly continuous in front, and form a smooth 

 trochlear surface, the external border of which is more prominent, and ascends 

 higher than the internal one. This surface articulates with the patella. It pre- 

 sents a median groove, which extends downwards and backwards to the inter- 

 condyloid notch ; and two lateral convexities, of which the external is the broader, 

 more prominent, and prolonged farther upwards upon the front of the outer 

 condyle. The intercondyloid notch lodges the crucial ligaments ; it is bounded 

 laterally by the opposed surfaces of the two condyles, and in front by the lower 

 end of the shaft. 



Outer Condyle. The outer surface of the external condyle presents, a little behind 

 its centre, an eminence, the outer tuberosity it is less prominent than the inner 

 tuberosity, and gives attachment to the external lateral ligament of the knee. 

 Immediately beneath it is a groove which commences at a depression a little behind 

 the centre of the lower border of this surface : the depression is for the tendon of 

 origin of the Popliteus muscle ; the groove in which this tendon is contained is 

 smooth, covered with cartilage in the recent state, and runs upwards and back- 

 wards to the posterior extremity of the condyle. The inner surface of the outer 

 condyle forms one of the lateral boundaries of the intercondyloid notch, and 

 gives attachment, by its posterior part, to the anterior crucial ligament. The 

 inferior surface is convex, smooth, and broader than that of the internal condyle. 

 The posterior extremity is convex and smooth : just above the articular surface 

 is a depression, for the tendon of the outer head of the Gastrocnemius. 



Inner Condyle. The inner surface of the inner condyle presents a convex 

 eminence, the inner tuberosity, rough for the attachment of the internal lateral 

 ligament. Above this tuberosity, at the termination of the inner bifurcation of the 

 linea aspera, is a tubercle, for the insertion of the tendon of the Adductor magnus ; 

 and behind and beneath the tubercle a depression, for the tendon of the inner head 

 of the Gastrocnemius. The outer side of the inner condyle forms one of the lateral 

 boundaries of the intercondyloid notch, and gives attachment, by its anterior part, 

 to the posterior crucial ligament. Its inferior or articular surface is convex, and 

 presents a less extensive surface than the external condyle. 



Structure. The shaft of the femur is 

 a cylinder of compact tissue hollowed 

 by a large medullary canal. The cylin- 

 der is of great thickness and density in 

 the middle third of the shaft, where the 

 bone is narrowest, and the medullary 

 canal well formed ; but above and below 

 this, the cylinder gradually becomes 

 thinner, owing to a separation of the 

 layers of the bone into cancelli, which 

 project into the medullary canal, and 

 finally obliterate it, so that the upper and 

 lower ends of the shaft, and the articular 

 extremities more especially, consist of 

 cancellated tissue invested by a thin 

 compact layer. 



The arrangement of the cancelli in the 

 ends of the femur is remarkable. In the 



Fig. 105. Diagram showing the Structure of 

 the Neck of the Femur. (WARD.) 



