Femur: Difference between revisions
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== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
The femur is the largest and strongest bone of the body. Osteologic features of this long bone include the femoral head and neck, greater and lesser trochanters at the proximal end, the femoral shaft, and the femoral condyles distally. | |||
[[Image:Femur Anterior.png|400px]] {{#ev:youtube| Xb-U3Jjj-n4|300}} | |||
== Osteologic Features == | == Osteologic Features == | ||
=== Proximal Femur === | === Proximal Femur === | ||
At the proximal end of the femur, the bulbous femoral head is joined to the shaft of the femur by the femoral neck. At the base of the neck are the medially oriented lesser trochanter and laterally placed greater trochanter. A rough line called the intertrochanteric line connects the greater and lesser trochanter on the anterior aspect of the femur, while the smoother intertrochanteric crest connects the trochanters posteriorly.<ref name="Moore" /> | |||
==== Angle of Inclination ==== | ==== Angle of Inclination ==== | ||
The angle between the femoral neck and the medial side of the femoral shaft viewed from the frontal plane is known as the angle of inclination. This angle is greater at birth but decreases during childhood and adolescent development due to loading stresses across the femoral neck in weightbearing and walking. Ideally, a normal angle of inclination of 125 degrees increases mobility of the femur at the hip joint by placing the femoral head and neck in a biomechanically favourable position for walking. Abnormal angles, known as coxa vara for an angle much less than 125 degress and coxa valga for an angle much greater than 125 degrees, alter hip biomechanics, leading to malalignment and complications.<ref name="Moore" /><ref name="Neumann" /> | |||
[[Image:Femur Angles of Inclination.jpg|center|300px]] | |||
=== Femoral Shaft === | === Femoral Shaft === | ||
The shaft of the femur courses on an oblique lateral to medial angle, functioning to bring the alignment of the knees and feet closer to midline.<ref name="Neumann" /> The ridge-like linea aspera runs along the posterior aspect of the shaft.<ref name="Moore" /> | |||
=== Distal Femur === | === Distal Femur === | ||
Prominent lateral and medial condyles are found at the distal end of the femur. Projecting from each condyle is an epicondyle that act as attachment sites for the collateral ligaments. The lateral and medial condyles are separated by the intercondylar notch.<ref name="Neumann" /> | |||
== Articulations == | == Articulations == | ||
The femoral head of the proximal femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis, forming a "ball-and-socket" joint, in which the femoral head acts at the ball and the acetabulum as the socket. This formation allows for movement at the hip in three [[Cardinal Planes and Axes of Movement|planes]]: flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, abduction and adduction in the frontal plane, and internal and external rotation in the horizontal plane.<ref name="Neumann">Neumann DA, Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system: Foundations for rehabilitation. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. p520-71.</ref> | The femoral head of the proximal femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis, forming a "ball-and-socket" joint, in which the femoral head acts at the ball and the acetabulum as the socket. This formation allows for movement at the [[Hip|hip]] in three [[Cardinal Planes and Axes of Movement|planes]]: flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, abduction and adduction in the frontal plane, and internal and external rotation in the horizontal plane.<ref name="Neumann">Neumann DA, Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system: Foundations for rehabilitation. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. p520-71.</ref> | ||
Distally, the convex femoral condyles of the femur articulate with the condyles of the | Distally, the convex femoral condyles of the femur articulate with the condyles of the [[Tibia|tibia]], forming the [[Knee|tibiofemoral joint]]. Movement at the tibiofemoral joint occurs in two planes: knee flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, and internal and external rotation in the horizontal plane.<ref name="Neumann" /><br> | ||
The patellofemoral joint is formed by the articulation of the patella with the intercondylar/trochlear groove of the femur. During flexion and extension of the knee, the articular surfaces of the patella and femur perform a sliding movement.<ref name="Neumann" /> | The patellofemoral joint is formed by the articulation of the [[Patella|patella]] with the intercondylar/trochlear groove of the femur. During flexion and extension of the knee, the articular surfaces of the patella and femur perform a sliding movement.<ref name="Neumann" /> | ||
== Functions == | == Functions == | ||
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[[Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome|Patellofemoral pain syndrome]] (PFPS) is a common sports-related injury that presents as pain around or behind the patella, typically with an insidious onset. The cause of the condition is unclear, but neurologic, genetic, neuromuscular and/or biomechanical factors may contribute to its development.<ref name="Neumann" /> | [[Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome|Patellofemoral pain syndrome]] (PFPS) is a common sports-related injury that presents as pain around or behind the patella, typically with an insidious onset. The cause of the condition is unclear, but neurologic, genetic, neuromuscular and/or biomechanical factors may contribute to its development.<ref name="Neumann" /> | ||
== Recent Related Research (from [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ Pubmed]) == | |||
<div class="researchbox"><rss>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/erss.cgi?rss_guid=1nI_xFaT3LgqxDo2uvc-uylZpYHaqMVXS5lCIAMIHhXoBmwQHW|charset=UTF-8|short|max=10</rss></div> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Anatomy]] [[Category:Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedics|Orthopaedics]] [[Category:Hip]] [[Category:Knee]] | [[Category:Anatomy]] [[Category:Musculoskeletal/Orthopaedics|Orthopaedics]] [[Category:Hip]] [[Category:Knee]] | ||
Revision as of 05:07, 29 October 2014
Original Editor - Daphne Jackson
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson, Evan Thomas, Admin, Daphne Jackson, Joanne Garvey, WikiSysop and Joao Costa
Overview[edit | edit source]
The femur is the largest and strongest bone of the body. Osteologic features of this long bone include the femoral head and neck, greater and lesser trochanters at the proximal end, the femoral shaft, and the femoral condyles distally.
Osteologic Features[edit | edit source]
Proximal Femur[edit | edit source]
At the proximal end of the femur, the bulbous femoral head is joined to the shaft of the femur by the femoral neck. At the base of the neck are the medially oriented lesser trochanter and laterally placed greater trochanter. A rough line called the intertrochanteric line connects the greater and lesser trochanter on the anterior aspect of the femur, while the smoother intertrochanteric crest connects the trochanters posteriorly.[1]
Angle of Inclination[edit | edit source]
The angle between the femoral neck and the medial side of the femoral shaft viewed from the frontal plane is known as the angle of inclination. This angle is greater at birth but decreases during childhood and adolescent development due to loading stresses across the femoral neck in weightbearing and walking. Ideally, a normal angle of inclination of 125 degrees increases mobility of the femur at the hip joint by placing the femoral head and neck in a biomechanically favourable position for walking. Abnormal angles, known as coxa vara for an angle much less than 125 degress and coxa valga for an angle much greater than 125 degrees, alter hip biomechanics, leading to malalignment and complications.[1][2]
Femoral Shaft[edit | edit source]
The shaft of the femur courses on an oblique lateral to medial angle, functioning to bring the alignment of the knees and feet closer to midline.[2] The ridge-like linea aspera runs along the posterior aspect of the shaft.[1]
Distal Femur[edit | edit source]
Prominent lateral and medial condyles are found at the distal end of the femur. Projecting from each condyle is an epicondyle that act as attachment sites for the collateral ligaments. The lateral and medial condyles are separated by the intercondylar notch.[2]
Articulations[edit | edit source]
The femoral head of the proximal femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis, forming a "ball-and-socket" joint, in which the femoral head acts at the ball and the acetabulum as the socket. This formation allows for movement at the hip in three planes: flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, abduction and adduction in the frontal plane, and internal and external rotation in the horizontal plane.[2]
Distally, the convex femoral condyles of the femur articulate with the condyles of the tibia, forming the tibiofemoral joint. Movement at the tibiofemoral joint occurs in two planes: knee flexion and extension in the sagittal plane, and internal and external rotation in the horizontal plane.[2]
The patellofemoral joint is formed by the articulation of the patella with the intercondylar/trochlear groove of the femur. During flexion and extension of the knee, the articular surfaces of the patella and femur perform a sliding movement.[2]
Functions[edit | edit source]
As the largest and strongest bone in the body, the femur serves an important weight bearing function and is an essential component of the lower kinetic chain. The robust shape of the femur provides many sturdy attachment points for the powerful muscles of the hip and knee that contribute to walking and other propulsive movements.[1]
Injuries and Conditions[edit | edit source]
Femoral fractures can occur at the femoral head, shaft, or condyles, with a fracture of the femoral neck being the most commonly fractured location. Osteoporosis is a significant risk factor for fractures of the femoral neck.[1]
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common sports-related injury that presents as pain around or behind the patella, typically with an insidious onset. The cause of the condition is unclear, but neurologic, genetic, neuromuscular and/or biomechanical factors may contribute to its development.[2]
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Moore KL, Agur AM, Dalley AF. Essential Clinical Anatomy. 4th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Neumann DA, Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system: Foundations for rehabilitation. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2010. p520-71.
