Femur head

Femur Head

The femur head is the highest part of the thigh bone, and it is rounded to fit into the hip socket. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the human body, and the femur head plays a crucial role in supporting the body's weight and allowing for a wide range of motion.

Anatomy

The femur head is a spherical structure located at the proximal end of the femur. It is connected to the femoral neck, a short section of the femur that joins the head to the main body of the bone. The femur head and neck are angled medially and anteriorly, a unique feature that distinguishes the human femur from that of other mammals.

The femur head is covered with a thin layer of articular cartilage, which provides a smooth, low-friction surface for the bone to move against within the acetabulum, the socket of the hip joint. The only part of the femur head not covered by cartilage is the fovea capitis, a small pit that serves as the attachment point for the ligament of head of femur, a ligament that helps stabilize the hip joint.

Function

The primary function of the femur head is to transmit the weight of the body from the spine, through the hip joint, to the lower limbs. It also plays a key role in facilitating movement, as its spherical shape allows for a wide range of motion in all directions.

Clinical Significance

The femur head is susceptible to a number of medical conditions. Osteoarthritis of the hip, a degenerative joint disease, can cause the cartilage on the femur head to wear away, leading to pain and reduced mobility. Femoral head necrosis, also known as avascular necrosis, is a condition in which the blood supply to the femur head is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to die. This can lead to severe pain and disability.

Hip fractures often involve the femur head or neck. These are serious injuries that typically require surgery and can have long-term consequences for mobility and quality of life.

See Also

• Femur
• Hip joint
• Osteoarthritis
• Femoral head necrosis
• Hip fracture