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Femur

Os femoris

Longest and strongest bone in the human body, the femur bears the body's weight and anchors the powerful muscles of the thigh, transmitting weight from the hip to the tibia during standing and locomotion. It extends from the hip joint to the knee. Its proximal end carries the femoral head, neck, and the greater and lesser trochanters; the shaft is bowed slightly forward; and the distal end forms the medial and lateral condyles that articulate with the tibia. Femoral neck fractures are common in elderly patients with osteoporosis, whereas shaft fractures usually follow high-energy trauma. The femoral head is vulnerable to avascular necrosis when its blood supply is interrupted.

The femur extends from the hip joint to the knee joint. Its proximal end features the femoral head, neck, and greater and lesser trochanters. The shaft is slightly bowed anteriorly. The distal end forms the medial and lateral condyles that articulate with the tibia.

On this page
Tipo Bone
Sistema corporal Skeletal
Região corporal Thigh
Estrutura pai hindlimb long bone
Nome latino Os femoris
FMA ID 24474

Função

The longest and strongest bone in the human body. Bears the weight of the body and provides attachment for powerful thigh muscles. Transmits body weight from the hip to the tibia during standing and locomotion.

Significado clínico

Femoral neck fractures are common in elderly patients with osteoporosis. Femoral shaft fractures result from high-energy trauma. The femoral head is susceptible to avascular necrosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the femur?

The femur is the thigh bone and the single bone of the upper leg. It is the longest, largest, and strongest bone in the human body. Proximally it articulates with the hip socket (acetabulum) at the hip joint, and distally it articulates with the tibia and patella at the knee joint. It transmits the body's weight from the pelvis to the lower leg during standing, walking, and running.

How long and strong is the femur?

In an adult male, the femur averages approximately 45–48 cm (17–19 inches) in length, representing about 26% of a person's height. It is capable of withstanding compressive forces of approximately 1,700–7,700 N under normal conditions. Despite its strength, the femoral neck is a common fracture site in osteoporotic elderly individuals because of its trabecular bone composition and angulated geometry.

What are common femur fractures?

Femoral fractures are classified by location: femoral head fractures (typically from hip dislocations), femoral neck fractures (common in elderly with osteoporosis — often called hip fractures), intertrochanteric fractures, subtrochanteric fractures, femoral shaft fractures (requiring high-energy trauma), and distal femur fractures near the knee. Femoral neck fractures in the elderly carry significant morbidity and mortality and usually require surgical fixation or hip replacement.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:24474 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0000981 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — Femur Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

Aviso médico

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.