102 



BONES OF THE LOWER LIMB. 



iv- 



surface of the shaft seem concave in that part. It presents two sharp 



Fig. 94. Fig. 94. FEMUR OF A MALE PROM BEHIND. ^ 



"~*X 4 5 > 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13, the same as in the 



preceding figure ; 2', pit on the head for the 

 round ligament of the hip-joint ; 3', the back of 

 the neck, showing a slight groove of the obturator 

 externus muscle as it passes over the capsular 

 ligament and neck; 14, rough impression of the 

 attachment of the gluteus maximus muscle in the 

 upper and outer continuation of the linea aspera ; 

 15, two lines running up towards the lesser tro- 

 chanter from the linea aspera, marking the 

 attachments of the adductor brevis and pectineus 

 muscles; 16, flat elevated surface of the linea 

 aspera ; 17, flat triangular popliteal surface 

 between the lower divisions of the linea aspera ; 

 18, intercondyloid or crucial notch ; 19, foramen 

 for the nutritious or medullary vessels. 



margins and a flat interval. The external 

 division of its superior bifurcation passes 

 up to the great trochanter, and in its 

 course is strongly marked where the 

 gluteus maximus is attached ; the internal 

 division terminates in front of the small 

 trochanter. The inferior divisions termi- 

 nate at the tuberosities of the condyles, 

 and enclose between them a flat triangular 

 surface of bone, which is free from mus- 

 cular attachments, and forms the floor of 

 the upper part of the popliteal space. 

 Towards the superior part of the linea 

 aspera is the foramen for the medullary 

 vessels, directed upwards into the bone. 



The inferior extremity presents two 

 rounded eminences, the condyles, united 

 anteriorly, but separated posteriorly by a 

 deep intercondyloid fossa. Their greatest 

 prominence is directed backwards, and 

 their curve, as it increases towards that part, 

 may be compared to that of a partially 

 uncoiled piece of watch-spring. The ex- 

 ternal condyle is the broader and more 

 prominent in front ; the internal is the 

 longer and more prominent inferiorly. 

 One large articular surface, coated con- 

 tinuously with cartilage, extends over both 

 \ \\1\V condyles, but, opposite the front of the 



intercondyloid fossa, it is divided by two 

 slight linear depressions into three parts, 

 an elevated 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 ; the 

 external portion of this surface is the most prominent, and rises highest. 



