Femoral head

For the band with the same name, see Head of Femur (band).

Femur head
Upper extremity of right femur viewed from behind and above.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Caput femoris
MeSH	A02.835.232.043.650.247.343
TA	A02.5.04.002
FMA	32851
*Anatomical terms of bone* [edit on Wikidata]

The femoral head (femur head or head of the femur) is the highest part of the thigh bone (femur). It is supported by the femoral neck.

Structure

The head is globular and forms rather more than a hemisphere, is directed upward, medialward, and a little forward, the greater part of its convexity being above and in front.

Its surface is smooth, coated with cartilage in the fresh state, except over an ovoid depression, the fovea capitis femoris, which is situated a little below and behind the center of the head, and gives attachment to the ligament of head of femur.

The diameter of the femoral head is generally larger in men than in women.

Fovea Capitis

The fovea capitis is a small, concave, depression within the head of the femur that serves as an attachment point for the ligamentum teres (Saladin). It is slightly ovoid in shape and is oriented "superior-to-posteroinferior. (Cerezal)" This orientation is said to be favorable for the tensed fibers of the ligamentum teres. The fovea capitis is located "slightly posterior and inferior to the center of the articular surface of the femoral head (Cerezal)" Furthermore, unlike the head of the femur, the fovea capitis lacks any hyaline cartilage. The fovea capitis is said to contain vascular canals in two-thirds of individuals, but "their contribution to femoral head vascularity varies. (Cerezal)"

Clinical significance

If there is a fracture of the neck of the femur, the blood supply through the ligament becomes crucial. In orthopedic surgery, the head of the femur is important because it can undergo avascular necrosis and consequent osteochondritis dissecans. The femoral head is removed in total hip replacement surgery.

Additional images

Radiograph of a healthy human hip joint
Gross pathology specimen of the head of the femur with some synovium attached at the bottom and the ligament attached at the top. Ruler in centimeters at left side.
Right femur. Anterior surface.
Left hip-joint, opened by removing the floor of the acetabulum from within the pelvis.
The Obturator externus.
Hip joint. Lateral view. Femur head
Hip joint. Lateral view. Femur head

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

Cerezal, Luis. "Anatomy, Biomechanics, Imaging, and Management of Ligamentum Teres Injuries." RadioGraphica. RSNA, Oct. 2010. Web. Nov. 2015.

Saladin, Kenneth S. Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2007. 300-302. Print.

External links

Cross section image: pembody/body15a - Plastination Laboratory at the Medical University of Vienna

Bones of the human leg

Femur

upper extremity	head fovea neck greater trochanter fossa lesser trochanter intertrochanteric line intertrochanteric crest quadrate tubercle

shaft	linea aspera upper medial: merges with intertrochanteric line upper intermediate: pectineal line upper lateral: gluteal tuberosity / third trochanter

lower extremity	adductor tubercle patellar surface epicondyles lateral medial condyles lateral medial intercondylar fossa

Tibia

upper extremity	Gerdy's tubercle condyles lateral medial intercondylar area posterior anterior intercondylar eminence lateral tubercle medial tubercle

shaft	tuberosity soleal line

lower extremity	medial malleolus Anterior colliculus Posterior colliculus fibular notch

Fibula

lateral malleolus

Other

patella
- apex

Foot

Tarsus	calcaneus sustentaculum tali calcaneal tubercle talus navicular cuboid cuneiform medial intermediate lateral

Metatarsals	1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Other	Phalanges

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