Body of femur

Body of Femur

The Body of Femur or Femoral Shaft is the long, straight part of the femur or thigh bone. It is the longest, strongest, and heaviest bone in the human body, and it is designed to support and facilitate movement.

Anterior view of the femur

Anatomy

The body of the femur is almost cylindrical in form and is a little broader above than in the center, narrowest at the junction of the lower and middle thirds. It is slightly arched, so as to be convex in front, and concave behind, where it is strengthened by a prominent longitudinal ridge, the linea aspera.

Proximal End

The proximal end of the femur connects to the hip joint. This end is characterized by the femoral head and the femoral neck. The femoral head is round and connects to the femoral neck, which is a narrowed area of bone that joins the femoral head to the femoral shaft.

Distal End

The distal end of the femur forms the upper part of the knee joint. This end is characterized by the medial condyle and lateral condyle, which are two rounded knobs at the end of the femur that articulate with the tibia.

Function

The body of the femur, along with the rest of the femur, plays a crucial role in supporting the body's weight and allowing movement of the leg. It is involved in many movements, including walking, running, jumping, and squatting.

Clinical Significance

Due to its strength, the femur is less likely to be fractured than other bones in the body. However, when a femur fracture does occur, it is often a sign of high-impact trauma or a pathological condition such as osteoporosis or bone cancer.

Posterior view of the femur

See Also

• Femur
• Hip joint
• Knee joint
• Osteoporosis
• Bone cancer