Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

Nerve to quadratus femoris (posteriorly)

Articular branch of sciatic nerve

Anterior division of the obturator nerve (inferiorly)

Superior gluteal nerve (posteriorly)

Femur

Longest and heaviest bone in the body

Osteological features

Head with fovea (pit)

Neck-between head and shaft

Greater trochanter-large, lateral, posterosuperior projection from junction of neck and body

Lesser trochanter-rounded medial projection from junction of neck and body

Intertrochanteric line

Ridge running between greater and lesser trochanters

Indicates where neck joins body

Body (shaft)

Smooth and cylindrical

Wide, roughened line posteriorly: linea aspera

Runs vertically

Has medial and lateral lips (margins)

Medial and lateral condyles-medial and lateral rounded projections at its distal end

Medial and lateral epicondyles-central projection from each condyle

Neck is angled at 115 to 140 degrees (average 126 degrees) relative to the long axis of the shaft

Ligaments of the Hip Joint

Ligament Attachments Function

Iliofemoral ASIS and acetabulum → intertrochanteric line. (Strong; Y-shaped

ligament)

Prevents hyperextension

Ischiofemoral Acetabular rim → circles superiorly and laterally to medial base of

greater trochanter

Prevents hyperextension

Screws femoral head into acetabulum

Pubofemoral Pubic ramus → laterally and inferiorly to joint capsule Tightens during extension and

abduction

Limits abduction

Transverse

acetabular

Joins the inferior ends of the labrum, crosses acetabular notch Completes the acetabular ring

Ligament of head of

femur

Acetabular notch → fovea of femur

(Intracapsular but extrasynovial)

Contains artery to head of femur (minute

in adults)

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Fascial Compartments of the Thigh

Superficial fascia

Contains variable amounts of fat

Cutaneous nerves, such as the saphenous and sural

Superficial veins, such as the great and small saphenous

Lymphatics

Deep fascia = fascia lata

Separates the subcutaneous tissue from the muscles

Dense strong layer

Prevents bulging of muscles during contraction, which improves efficiency of pumping blood through veins back to the heart

Attaches to the inguinal ligament, iliac crests, and sacrum superiorly, and is continuous with the crural fascia inferiorly (see Section

7-4: Lower Limb: Leg)

Fascial septa from the fascia lata divide the thigh into three compartments: anterior, medial, and posterior

Iliotibial tract

Lateral thickening of fascia lata

Conjoint aponeurosis of tensor fasciae lata and gluteus maximus muscles

Attaches to tubercle on lateral condyle of the tibia (Gerdy tubercle)

Saphenous opening in fascia lata

Deficiency inferior to medial inguinal ligament

Spanned by cribriform fascia

Saphenous vein and efferent lymphatic vessels form superficial inguinal nodes pass through opening and cribriform fascia

Muscles of the Gluteal Region

Extensor of hip: gluteus maximus

Also laterally rotates hip

Through iliotibial tract, extends knee

Abductors of hip

Gluteus medius

Gluteus minimus

Most important function of these muscles: contract to prevent sagging of unsupported side of hip during locomotion, enabling

opposite foot to swing through (e.g., Trendelenburg test)

Lateral rotators of hip

Gluteus maximus