JOINTS 



49 



of the femur is enlarged by two bosses, each having a large 

 rounded articular surface. These articular surfaces are extensive 

 and meet each other in front, and then continue a little distance 

 up the front of the bone. Only a small part of each articular 

 surface of the femur is in contact at any one time with the 

 articular surfaces of the tibia. When the knee is bent the 



fern. - 



r.L.-- 



isc 



FIG. 18. The right hip joint. The hip bone sawn through so as to show the 



cup of the joint. 



Fttn, femur ; //, ilium ; tic , ischium ; fat, sacrum ; acet, cup or acetabulum ; caft, 

 capsule ; r.l, round ligament. 



hind part of these surfaces are in contact with the tibia, and 

 when the knee is straightened the front part. 



There are two ligaments like the round ligament in the hip 

 joint, in the middle of the knee joint, passing from the tibia to 

 the femur. These, called the crucial ligaments, cross each other 

 from side to side. The capsular ligament enclosing the joint 

 is strengthened in front by the presence of a triangular bone, 



I 



