THE FEMUR 



183 



same plane, and almost parallel, for articulation with the upper surfaces on the 

 head of the tibia. The two condyles are continuous in front, forming a smooth 

 trochlear surface [facies patellaris] for articulation with the patella. This surface 

 presents a median vertical groove and two convexities, the lateral of which is 

 wider, more prominent, and prolonged farther upward. The patellar surface is 

 faintly marked off from the tibial articular surfaces by two irregular grooves, 

 best seen while the lower end is still coated with cartilage. The lateral groove 

 commences on the medial margin of the lateral condyle near the front of the 

 intercondylar fossa, and extends obliquely forward to the lateral margin of the 

 bone. The general direction of the medial groove is from front to back, turning 

 medially in front and extending backward as a faint ridge which marks off from the 



Fig. 221. — The Left Femur at the Twentieth Year. (Posterior view ) 

 The figure shows the relations of the epiphysial and capsular lines. 



Appears in the first, and fuses in the 

 nineteenth year 



Appears in the f ourth, and unites in 



the e igbteenth year 



Appears in the fourteenth, and unite 

 iu the s eventeenth year 



Appears early in the ninth month of 

 intra-uterine life, and unites at 

 the twentieth year 



Capsular line 



Capsular line 



rest of the medial condyle a narrow semilunar facet for articulation with the 

 medial perpendicular facet of the patella in extreme flexion. The grooves receive 

 the semilunar menisci in the extended position of the joint. The tibial surfaces 

 are almost parallel except in front, where the medial turns laterally to become 

 continuous with the patellar surface. 



The opposed surfaces of the two condyles form the boundaries of the inter- 

 condylar fossa and give attachment to the crucial ligaments which are lodged 

 within it. The posterior crucial ligament is attached to the fore part of the lateral 

 surface of the medial condyle and the anterior crucial ligament to the back part of 

 the medial surface of the lateral condyle. The two remaining surfaces of the 

 condyles are broad and convex, and each presents an epicondyle (tuberosity) for 

 the attachment of lateral ligaments. The medial epicondyle, the larger of the 

 two, is surmounted by the adductor tubercle, behind which is an impression for 



