The strongest and largest bone in the human body is the femur. It extends from the hip to the knee and is commonly referred to as the thigh bone (the Latin word for thigh is femur).
The femur is robust and hard to break. Minor fractures that cause fractured thigh bone might be life-threatening because they can result in significant internal haemorrhage.
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Meaning and Location of Femur
Our thigh bone, called the femur, is our body’s longest and strongest bone. It plays a crucial role in how well we can stand and move. The femur also supports various vital muscles, ligaments, tendons, and components of the circulatory system.
There is only one bone in our thigh—the femur. It extends from the knee to the hip. The femur comprises a long shaft in the middle and two rounded ends.
Femur Structure
The proximal ends of the two tibiae and the two femurs join together as they converge caudally toward the knees. The femoral-tibial angle is primarily determined by the angle at which the femora converge. Femora converge more in female humans than males because females have thicker pelvic bones.
The femur is divided into three parts: the Upper part (proximal), the Body (shaft), and the Lower part (distal). It serves as the location of origin and attachment for several muscles and ligaments.
Upper Part (Proximal End)
The neck, head, and trochanters are located at the upper end of the femur, also known as the proximal end. The hip joint is made up of the acetabulum of the pelvic bone and the head of the neck, a ball-shaped projection. The neck is a narrow area that holds the head in place and joins it to the femur’s shaft. Usually, the neck is thinner than the femur’s shaft.
The greater trochanter, resembling a broad flat surface, is located on the lateral side of the proximal femur. The lesser trochanter, a smaller structure, is located on the median side of the bone immediately below the neck. Their smooth surfaces act as a significant location for muscle attachment.
Body (Shaft)
The body or shaft of the femur comprises the majority of the bone. It is a long, straight section that extends from end to end. The femoral shaft is almost spherical and highly thick in cross-section.
It shows that the femur experiences significant compression stress. We can support the weight of our body without our legs bending or collapsing under us, owing to the femur’s thick, straight shaft.
Lower Part (Distal End)
The distal end of the femur, which is the lower portion, encapsulates the tibia and knee bone in the lower leg. When the knee straightens and bends, a groove in the patella permits it to slide. The medial and lateral condyles are located on either side of this groove.
To transfer femoral loads to the lower leg over a larger surface area, these condyles are somewhat flattened and interact with the tibia. The epicondyles are located on the lateral sides of both condyles and act as attachment points for ligaments that support and fortify the knee joint.
Femur Function
The femur maintains the body’s weight on the leg. The bottom of the femur is where all other leg bones are joined.
However, the femur serves more than just physical movement. Both red and yellow bone marrow can be found in the femur’s shaft, essential for generating blood cells and fat storage.
It isn’t easy to estimate blood circulation in the femur. The quantity is large enough that dehydration or shock can be treated by injecting sufficient fluid into the bloodstream through a needle placed in the spongy bone.
The sturdy structure of the femur provides the strong hip and knee muscles with many secure attachment places for walking and other thrusting activities.
Related Links:
- Bones of the Leg
- Bones of the Ankle
- Human Skeletal System
- Functions of Human Skeletal System
- MCQs on Leg Bones for NEET
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