1886AdamsF

 

The first mention of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in a scientific text is found in the treatise «Mochlicus» (Instruments of Reductions), highly likely authored by Hippocrates of Kos (born 460 BCE). The classical translation of this work into English was performed by the surgeon Francis Adams. In the translation of Hippocrates’ text, LCF is called «ligament». We bring to your attention a quote and a brief commentary by the translator: 

Selected quote mentioning LCF

MOCHLICUS, pp. 161-163

1. With regard to the construction of bones, the bones and joints of the fingers are simple, the bones of the hand and foot are numerous, and articulated in various ways ; the uppermost are the largest ; the heel consists of one bone which is seen to project outwards, and the back tendons are attached to it. The leg consists of two bones, united together above and below, but slightly separated in the middle; the external bone (fibula), where it comes into proximity with the little toe, is but slightly smaller than the other, more so where they are separated, and at the knee, the outer hamstring arises from it (The tendon of the biceps); these bones have a common epiphysis below, with which the foot is moved, and another epiphysis above, in which is moved the articular extremity of the femur, which is simple and light in proportion to its length, in the form of a condyle, and having the patella (connected with it ?), the femur itself bends outwards and forwards ; its head is a round epiphysis which gives origin to the ligament inserted in the acetabulum of the hip-joint [translator's note: Allusion is evidently made to the ligamentum teres]. This bone is articulated somewhat obliquely, but less so than the humerus. The ischium is united to the great vertebra contiguous to the os sacrum by a cartilaginous ligament. The spine, from the os sacrum to the great vertebra, is curved backwards; in this quarter are situated the bladder, the organs of generation, and the inclined portion of the rectum; from this to the diaphragm it proceeds in a straight line inclining forwards, and the psoae are situated there; from this pointy to the great vertebra above the tops of the shoulders, it rises in a line that is curved backwards, and the curvature appears greater than it is in reality, for the posterior processes of the spine are there highest; the articulation of the neck inclines forwards. The vertebrae on the inside are regularly placed upon one another, but behind they are connected by a cartilaginous ligament; they are articulated in the form of synarthrosis at the back part of the spinal marrow; behind they have a sharp process having a cartilaginous epiphysis, whence proceeds the roots of nerves running downwards, as also muscles extending from the neck to the loins, and filling the space between the ribs and the spine. The ribs are connected to all the intervertebral spaces on the inside, from the neck to the lumbar region, by a small ligament, and before to the sternum, their extremities being spongy and soft; their form is the most arched in man of all animals; for in this part, man is, of all animals, the narrowest in proportion to his bulk. The ribs are united to each vertebra by a small ligament at the place from which the short and broad lateral processes (transverse processes?) arise. The sternum is one continuous bone, having lateral pits for the insertion of the ribs; it is of a spongy and cartilaginous structure. The clavicles are rounded in front, having some slight movements at the sternum, but more free at the acromion. The acromion, in man, arises from the scapula differently from most other animals. The scapula is cartilaginous towards the spine, and spongy elsewhere, having an irregular figure externally; its neck and articular cavity cartilaginous; it does not interfere with the movements of the ribs, and is free of all connexion with the other bones, except the humerus. The head of the humerus is articulated with its (glenoid?) cavity, by means of a small ligament, and it consists of a rounded epiphysis composed of spongy cartilage, the humerus itself is bent outwards and forwards, and it is articulated with its (glenoid?) cavity by its side, and not in a straight line. At the elbow it is broad, and has condyles and cavities, and is of a solid consistence; behind it is a cavity in which the coronoid process (olecranon?) of the ulna is lodged when the arm is extended; here, too, is inserted the benumbing nerve, which arises from between the two bones of the fore-arm at their junction, and terminates there. 

References

Adams F. The genuine works of Hippocrates; tr. from the Greek, with a preliminary discourse and annotations by Francis Adams; in 2 vol., New York: William Wood & Company, 1886; Vol.2, 161-163. [books.google] 

Authors & Affiliations 

Francis Adams (1796–1861) was a Scottish medical doctor (surgeon) and translator of Greek medical works. [wikipedia.org]

Portrait of Francis Adams M.D.
Unknown author; original in the wikipedia.org collection
(Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, no changes)

Keywords

synonyms, ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, anatomy, Hippocrates 

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