Information About

Femur




If you were looking for the `Institute of Mathematics and its Applications', see FIMA .

If you were looking for an Indian or Canadian law, see FEMA (disambiguation) .


Bone Information

  Name Femur
  GraySubject 59
  GrayPage 242
  Image Gray252png
  Caption Anterior view of the femur
  Origins Gastrocnemius , Vastus Lateralis , Vastus Medialis , Vastus Intermedius
  Insertions Tensor Fasciae Latae , Gluteus Medius , Gluteus Minimus , Gluteus Maximus , Iliopsoas
  Articulations ''' and Patella inferiorly
  MeshName Femur
  MeshNumber A02835232500247



The femur or '''thigh bone''' is the longest, most voluminous and strongest Bone of the human body (able to withstand over 550 pounds of force). It forms part of the Hip and part of the Knee .

The word "femur" is Latin for "thigh". In medical Latin its Genitive is always ''femoris'', but in Classical Latin its genitive is often ''feminis'', and should not be confused with case forms of ''femina'' = "woman".


FEATURES

The femur consists of a head and a neck proximally, a Diaphysis (or shaft), and two Condyle s distally.


Proximal end

The femur's head forms a ball-and-socket Joint at the hip.

Other ''proximal'' features of the bone include the Greater Trochanter and the Lesser Trochanter , two bony projections that allow Muscle s to attach.

''Posteriorly'' the Gluteal Tuberosity is a rough surface that Gluteus Maximus attaches to. Beneath this, the Linea Aspera runs down the back of the femur, which also provides an attachment for the biceps femoris muscle.


Distal end

The condyles at the knee form a condylar joint.

The Medial And Lateral Condyles on the ''distal'' end, are bumps that fit into corresponding articular facets on the Tibia . The gap between the two condyles is called the Intercondylar Fossa (or notch). Above the femoral condyles are the medial and lateral Epicondyle s, above the medial epicondyle is the Adductor Tubercle .


DISEASE CONDITIONS

The death rate for a Hip Fracture is between 20% and 35% fatal in the first year. {Link without Title}

Femur fractures are liable to cause permanent disability because the thigh muscles pull the fragments so they overlap, and the fragments re-unite wrongly. To avoid this, femur fracture patients should be put into Traction to keep the fragments pulled into proper alignment.


IN OTHER ANIMALS

Parallel structure by the same name exist in other complex animals, such as the bone inside a Ham or a Leg Of Lamb .

The name Femur is also given to the most Proximal full-length jointed segment of an Arthropod 's Leg .


SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS