Femur
The femur is the thighbone in tetrapods. It connects to the pelvis (hip) at the upper end and to the knee at the lower end. It connects with the hip by a ball-and-socket joint which allows freedom of movement.
The lower end of the femur forms a hinge with the lower leg known as the knee. This has two 'articulations': with the patella (knee-cap), and with the tibia (the main lower leg bone).The femur is also the longest and strongest bone in your body.
Femur Media
The upper extremity of right femur viewed from behind and above, showing head, neck, and the greater and lesser trochanter
Long Bone (Femur). See a full animation of this medical topic.
Lower extremity of right femur viewed from below.
Left knee joint from behind, showing interior ligaments.
Muscle attachments (seen from the front)
Muscle attachments (seen from the back)
From left to right: LB5990, LB8295, LB6070, LB6261d, LB6284, LB6261c, LB12961, LB6285b, LB6657, LB6071, LB6069. All are left femora except the two at far right. DNA analysis suggests all are from Euryapteryx except for LB6261c which was identified as Dinornis. Gridlines are at 10 mm intervals.
Human femur
Muscles of thigh. Lateral view.
Muscles of thigh. Cross section.
Femur Anatomy, by Jason Christian.
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