Ligament of head of femur
Encyclopedia
The ligament of the head of the femur (Latin: ligamentum capitis femoris), or the round ligament of the femur (Latin: ligamentum teres femoris), is a triangular, somewhat flattened band implanted by its apex into the antero-superior part of the fovea capitis femoris
; its base is attached by two bands, one into either side of the acetabular notch
, and between these bony attachments it blends with the transverse ligament
.
It is ensheathed by the synovial membrane, and varies greatly in strength in different subjects; occasionally only the synovial fold exists, and in rare cases even this is absent.
The ligament is made tense when the thigh
is semiflexed and the limb then abducted or rotated outward; it is, on the other hand, relaxed when the limb is adducted.
Research suggests it contributes little influence as a ligament
past childhood, although it may still be important in transmitting arterial supply to the head. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, the ligament gives the femur a stabilizing strength which, as in the orangutan
, some animals lack.
The ligament of the head of the femur contains within it the acetabular branch of the obturator artery
.
Fovea capitis femoris
The surface of the head of the femur is smooth, coated with cartilage in the fresh state, except over an ovoid depression, the fovea of head of femur, which is situated a little below and behind the center of the head, and gives attachment to the ligamentum teres.-External links:*...
; its base is attached by two bands, one into either side of the acetabular notch
Acetabular notch
The acetabulum presents below a deep notch, the acetabular notch, which is continuous with a circular non-articular depression, the acetabular fossa, at the bottom of the cavity: this depression is perforated by numerous apertures, and lodges a mass of fat....
, and between these bony attachments it blends with the transverse ligament
Transverse ligament
Transverse ligament can refer to:* Superior transverse ligament of the scapula* Transverse ligament of the atlas* Transverse ligament of the acetabular notch* Transverse ligament of knee...
.
It is ensheathed by the synovial membrane, and varies greatly in strength in different subjects; occasionally only the synovial fold exists, and in rare cases even this is absent.
The ligament is made tense when the thigh
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
is semiflexed and the limb then abducted or rotated outward; it is, on the other hand, relaxed when the limb is adducted.
Research suggests it contributes little influence as a ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
past childhood, although it may still be important in transmitting arterial supply to the head. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, the ligament gives the femur a stabilizing strength which, as in the orangutan
Orangutan
Orangutans are the only exclusively Asian genus of extant great ape. The largest living arboreal animals, they have proportionally longer arms than the other, more terrestrial, great apes. They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping...
, some animals lack.
The ligament of the head of the femur contains within it the acetabular branch of the obturator artery
Acetabular branch of medial circumflex femoral artery
The acetabular branch arises opposite the acetabular notch and enters the hip-joint beneath the transverse ligament in company with an articular branch from the obturator artery; it supplies the fat in the bottom of the acetabulum, and is continued along the ligament to the head of the femur....
.