FEMORO-TIBIAL ARTICULATION OR STIFLE-JOINT 



275 



The Cotyloid Ligament is a ring of fibro-cartilage attached around 

 the margin of the cotyloid cavity. It serves to increase the depth of 

 the cup, and at the same time to give it a yielding margin for the protec- 

 tion of the head of the femur. This ligament bridges over the notch in 

 the inner part of the cup through which the pubio-femoral reaches the 

 head of the thigh-bone. 



The Round Ligament (Uga- 

 mentum teres) is a short, strong 

 fibrous cord extending from the 

 bottom of the acetabulum to the 

 inner side of the head of the femur. 



The Pubio - femoral Liga- 

 ment, although short, is longer 

 and thicker than the round liga- 

 ment. It is derived from the ten- 

 dons of the abdominal muscles, 

 which, in front of the pubes, cross 

 from right to left and left to right, 

 and then proceed to the head of 

 the femur to be attached beside 

 the round ligament. 



The hip-joint is capable of the most varied and extensive movements. 

 Net only is it freely flexed and extended, but as constructed it also permits 

 of abduction, adduction, circumduction, and rotation of the femur on the 

 acetabulum. 



E-- 



Fig. 358. Articulation of the Hip-Joint 



A, A, Capsular or enclosing ligament. B, Round liga- 

 ment, c, Pubio-femoral ligament. D, Cotyloid liga- 

 ment. E, Head of femur. 



FEMORO-TIBIAL ARTICULATION OR STIFLE-JOINT 



This is the corresponding joint to the knee of man. It is formed by 

 the union of the femur with the tibia on the one part, and with the patella 

 or knee-cap on the other. The femur articulates with the upper extremity 

 of the tibia by its two condyles, and with the patella by its two ridges 

 or trochlea in front. Between the two condyles and the head of the 

 tibia there are two crescentic pieces of fibro-cartilage (semilunar cartilages] 

 which serve to mould the rounded condyles of the thigh-bone upon the 

 flatter articular face of the tibia. 



The three bones composing this joint are united by numerous strong 

 ligaments, so disposed as to permit the greatest freedom of motion, while 

 at the same time offering adequate resistance to the great strain which 

 is thrown upon them. 



The ligaments are divisible into three sets, viz. those which connect 



