THE FEMUR. 



lips separated by a narrow interval. The external lip is prolonged up to the great 

 trochanter, and in its course is strongly marked for about three inches where the 

 gluteus maximus is attached, constituting the gluteal ridge. The internal lip is 

 continued, winding in front of the small trochanter, to the anterior inter trochanter ic 

 line,- and forms the lower part of the spiral line ; it marks the attachment of the 

 vastus internus. In the interval between the two diverging branches of the linea 

 aspera a less distinct line, which gives attachment to the pectineus, is seen passing 

 to the small trochanter. Inferiorly the two lips are prolonged to the condyles 

 under the name of internal and external supracondylar lines, enclosing between 

 them a flat triangular surface of bone, the popliteal surface of tfie femur, which forms 

 the floor of the upper part of the popliteal space. The internal supracondylar line 

 is interrupted at the upper part where the femoral vessels lie against the bone; it 

 terminates below in a small sharp projection, the adductor tubercle, giving 

 attachment to the tendon of the adductor magnus. Above the centre of the linea 

 aspera is the foramen for the medullary artery, directed upwards into the bone ; a 

 second foramen is frequently to be seen near the lower end of the line. 



To the inner lip of the linea aspera are attached the vastus internus, adductor longus and 

 adductor magnus muscles, the last also extending upwards on the inner side of the gluteal 

 ridge, and downwards along the internal supracondylar line. The outer lip of the linea 

 aspera and the external supracondylar line give attachment to the short head of the biceps 

 and the external intermuscular septum of the thigh. The adductor brevis is inserted into the 

 upper third of the shaft externally to the pectineal line. Running downwards from the 

 tubercle of the quadratus to the level of the small trochanter there is sometimes to be seen a 

 faint linea quadrati, marking the insertion of the quadratus femoris. A small triangular 

 area below the lesser trochanter, between the pectineal and spiral lines, gives insertion to the 

 outer fibres of the iliacus. At the lower part of the popliteal surface is a slight roughness on 

 each side, above the corresponding condyle, where fibres of the two heads of the gastrocnemius, 

 and externally also the plantaris, arise. 



The inferior extremity presents two rounded eminences, the condyles, united 

 in front, but separated behind by a deep intercondijlar fossa or notch. Their greatest 

 prominence is directed back- 

 wards, and their curve, as it 

 increases towards that part, 

 may be compared to that of 

 a partially uncoiled piece of 

 watch-spring. The external 

 condyle is the broader and 

 more prominent in front ; 

 the internal is the longer and 

 more prominent laterally. 

 In the natural position of the 

 femur, however, the inferior 

 surfaces of the two condyles 

 are on the same level. One 

 large articular surface, coated 

 continuously with cartilage, 

 extends over both condyles ; 



but opposite the front of the intercondylar fossa it is divided by two irregular, slightly 

 marked transverse grooves into three parts, a convex surface on each side of the 

 fossa for articulation with the tibia ; and a grooved anterior surface for the patella. 

 The patellar surface is of a trochlear form, being marked by a vertical hollow and 

 two prominent lips ; the external portion of this surface is wider and more 

 prominent, and rises higher than the internal. The tibial surfaces are nearly 



r - CONOYUE- 

 FOSSft 



POST. CRUC. LIST. 



Fig. 134. LOW'EK EXTRKAIITY OK RIGHT FEMUR, FROM 



BELOW. (Drawn by T. W. P. Lawrence.) f 



