THE OLDEST LCF

The very first four-legged animal, the lobe-finned fish Tiktaalik roseae, lived about 375 million years ago. Based on indirect evidence (paired notches of the acetabulum), we believe that in the hip joint it had two ligaments of the head of femur, in Latin called ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). A similar anatomy of the hip joint is preserved in the salamander.

Illustration

Tiktaalik roseae is the first animal to have a LCF

A) 3D model of the right pelvic bone of the fish Tiktaalik roseae (fragment of a screenshot: media.hhmi.org), where we depicted the dissected anterior LCF (lig.cap.fem.ant.) and posterior LCF (lig.cap.fem.post.), that are attached to the corresponding notches of the acetabulum (inc.ac.ant. & inc.ac.post.). Below the pelvis is a photograph of our model of the Tiktaalik roseae femur with fragments of two LCFs (a fossil femur of Tiktaalik roseae has not yet been discovered).

B) View of a salamander femur with a proximal fragment of the iliac ligament (lig.il.) and a proximal fragment of the pubic ligament (lig.pb.); Figure 32 from 1934FrancisETB (signatures transformed by us).

. .

References:

Shubin N. Your inner fish: a journey into the 3.5-billion-year history of the human body. New York: Vintage books, 2008.

Francis ETB. The anatomy of the salamander. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1934. [archive.org]

Keywords:

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligament of head of femur, ligamentum teres, hip joint, paleontology, evolution

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NEWS 2026

New publications of our resource in 2026 The initial phase of collecting data on LCF, accumulated prior to the 20th century, is largely complete. Next, we plan to analyze and synthesize thematic information, adding data from the 20th and 21st centuries. The work will focus primarily on: prevention, diagnosis, arthroscopy, plastic surgery, and endoprosthetics. January 05, 2026 2018YoussefAO The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation. 2007WengerD_OkaetR The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the LCF is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. January 04, 2026 2008 BacheCE _TorodeIP The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation . 2021PaezC_WengerDR The ar ticle analyzes the results of open reconstruction of LCF in dysplasia. 2008DoddsMK...

IMPROVING POSTOPERATIVE COMFORT...

Enhancing Posto perative Comfort and Increasing the Reliability of Hip Prostheses by Supplementing with Artificial Ligaments: Proof of Concept and Prototype Demonstration S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland CONTENT [i] Abstract [ii] Introduction [iii] Materials and Methods [iv] Results and Discussion [v] Static Tests [vi] Dynamic Tests [vii] Prototype Fabrication and Testing [viii] Conclusion [ix] References [x] Application [i] Abstract The principle of operation of an experimental total hip endoprosthesis augmented with ligament analogs has been demonstrated in single-leg vertical stances and at the mid-stance phase of the single-support period of gait. The experiments were conducted on a specially designed mechatronic testing rig. The concept of the important role of the ligamentous apparatus is further illustrated by a set of demonstrative mechanical mode...

1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL

Content [i] Annotation [ii] Original text [iii] References [iv] Source & links [v] Notes [vi] Authors & Affiliations [vii] Keywords [i] Annotation Abstract of the article: Michaels G, Matles AL. The role of the ligamentum teres in congenital dislocation of the hip (1970). The authors proposed an analogy for the role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) as a “ball and chain control” and noted that it can spontaneously reduce congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL . [ii] Original text Quote p. 199 Many papers in the literature have implicated the ligamentum teres as a hindrance to the late open reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip. Occasionally the ligamentum teres has been reported to be absent. However, in most cases it is hypertrophied and elongated. Our present knowledge confirms the fact that congenital dislocation of t...

11th-15th Century

11th-15th Century Catalog of archived publications of the specified period 11th century 976-1115Theophilus Protospatharius The author writes about the normal anatomy of the LCF and its connective function. 1012-1024Avicenna The author writes about the localization and variant of the pathology LCF, leading to hip dislocation. 1039-1065Giorgi Mtatsmindeli The translator mentions the LCF damage, and notes its presence in animals. 12 th century 1120-1140Judah Halevi The author mentions LCF (גיד) of mammals. 1176-1178(a)Rambam The author mentions the pathology of LCF (גיד) in humans and points out the presence of this structure in animals. 1176-1178(b)Rambam The author writes about the localization of LCF (גיד) ) and distinguishes it from a tendon, blood vessel or nerve. 1185-1235David Kimchi The author writes about the localization, purpose, and injury of the LCF (גיד), and also talks abo...

1834MitchellE_KnoxR

Description and drawings of the proximal attachment and blood supply of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) from book Mitchell E, Knox R. Engravings of the ligaments (1834 ). PLATE VI PLATE VI. … 49. The round ligament of the hip-joint, which arises from the sinus in the bottom of the acetabulum and descends into the head of the femur. 50. A portion of it which is thinner and membranous. 51. Portion of a ligament which arises from the outer surface of the ischiatic cavity and surrounds its neck as far as the notch of the acetabulum; there however it makes its way into the acetabulum, passing under the arch of the cotyloid ligament. 52. Branch of the obturator artery. 53. Two twigs which penetrate into the cotyloid cavity along with the ligament 51, to mingle with the round ligament. PLATE VII PLATE VII. Fig. 1. … 19, 19. Remarkable glands, which are concealed in the sinus of the acetabulum. 20. Origin of the exterior ligament which arises fr...

LCF in 2025 (June)

LCF in 2025 ( June ) (Quotes from articles and books published in June 2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris) Kuhns, B. D., Kahana-Rojkind, A. H., Quesada-Jimenez, R., McCarroll, T. R., Kingham, Y. E., Strok, M. J., ... & Domb, B. G. (2025). Evaluating a semiquantitative magnetic resonance imaging-based scoring system to predict hip preservation or arthroplasty in patients with an intact preoperative joint space. Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery , hnaf027. [i] academic.oup.com Iglesias, C. J. B., García, B. E. C., & Valarezo, J. P. P. (2025) CONTROLLED GANZ DISLOCATION. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) - Peer Reviewed Journal. 11(5)1410-13. DOI: 10.36713/epra2013 [ii] researchgate.net Guimarães, J. B., Arruda, P. H., Cerezal, L., Ratti, M. A., Cruz, I. A., Morimoto, L. R., ... & Ormond Filho, A. G. (2025). Hip Microins...

Catalog. Classifications of LCF Pathology

The classifications are intended to systematize of ligamentum capitis femoris pathology and assist in the development of general approaches to its description, registration, analysis and treatment. Keywords ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, hip joint, histology, pathological anatomy, pathology, trauma INTRODUCTION In Russia, the initial attempts to classify pathology of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) were made by morphologists. The development of arthroscopic surgery has made it possible to identify various, previously undescribed types of LCF pathology, which prompted the development of various modern classifications based on intraoperative observations. Analysis of literature data and our own morphological observations allowed us to propose a General Classification of the Ligamentum Teres Pathology, which has the form of a collection of classifiers, as well as a Classification of Functions of the Ligamentum Teres. The ...

190-230Mishnah Chullin

Tractate Mishnah Chullin was written between about 190 - 230 in Israel and discuss laws related to consumption of meat. The selected quotes talk about the presence of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in different animals, its location and distal attachment site. See our commentary at the link: 190-230Mishnah Chullin [Rus]. Quote 1. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:1 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 2. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:2 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 3. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:3 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 4. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:4 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 5. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:5 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 6. [Heb] Mishnah Chullin 7:6 (original source: sefaria.org ) Translation Quote 1. [Eng] Mishnah Chullin 7:1 The prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve applies both in Eretz Yisrael and outside of Eretz Yisrael, in the presence of, i.e., the time of, the Temple and not in the presence of th...

163-192Galen

Fragment from the treatise Galen. On anatomical procedures (Περὶ Ἀνατομικῶν Ἐγχειρήσεων, ca. 163-192). The author writes about the high resiliency and hardness of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF), and also notes its connective function. See our commentary at the link: 163-192Galen [Rus], and 2020ArkhipovSV_ProlyginaIV . Quote [Grc] Περὶ Ἀνατομικῶν Ἐγχειρήσεων. Βιβλιον B. K εφ . ι ʹ . Αλλά χρή σε, καθάπερ επί της χειρός επεσκέψω τους συνδέσμους των οστών, ούτω και νυν επισκέψασθαι πασών των γεγυμνωμένων διαρθρώσεων, πρώτης μεν της κατ' ισχίον, εχούσης ένα μεν εν κύκλω σύνδεσμον, απάντων των άρθρων κοινόν, (ουδέν γάρ έστιν, ότω μή περιβέβληται τοιούτος σύνδεσμος,) έτερον δε τον διά του βάθους εν τη διαρθρώσει κατακεκρυμμένον, ος συνάπτει την κεφαλήν του μηρού τη κατ' ισχίον κοιλότητι, πάνυ σκληρός ών, ώς ήδη δύνασθαι λέγεσθαι νεύρον χονδρώδες. (original source: 1821KühnCG, pp. 328-329) [Lat] De Anatomicis Administrationibus. Liber II. Cap. X. Verum considerare te convenit, ut i...

1176-1178(a)Rambam

Fragments from the book Rambam. Mishneh Torah. Sefer Shofetim, Negative Mitzvot (1176-1178). The treatise Mishneh Torah – legal code, work of Jewish law, its parts Sefer Shofetim (Kings and Wars) and Negative Mitzvot ( Negative Commandments ) was written between about 1176-1178 years in Egypt ( 1sefaria.org , 2sefaria.org ). The author mentions the pathology of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF, גיד) in humans and points out the presence of this structure in animals. See our commentary at the link: 1176-1178(a)Rambam [Rus]. Quote 1. [Heb] Mishneh Torah. Sefer Shofetim, 9.1 (original source: sefaria.org ) Quote 2. [Heb] Mishneh Torah. Negative Mitzvot, 183 (original source: sefaria.org ) Translation Quote 1. [Eng] Mishneh Torah. Laws of Kings and Wars (The Book of Judges ) , 9.1-3 9.1 Adam, the first man, was commanded with six commandments: 1) idolatry, 2) “blessing” (euphemistically) the Name (of G-d), 3) murder, 4) illicit sexual relations, 5) thievery...

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