Skip to main content

1738LadmiralJ

 

The first illustration and description of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in an infant. The basis of the drawing was a specimen from the collection of anatomist Frederik Ruysch. Jean l'Admiral characterizes the LCF as a rigid cartilaginous structure (ligamentum nerveo-cartilagineum) with good blood supply. In the description, provided in Latin, French, and Dutch, the author references Frederik Ruysch's monograph «Adversarium anatomico-medico-chirurgicorum decas secunda» (1720), see Tab. III., Fig. III. 


l'Admiral J. Icon membranae vasculosae ad infima acetabuli ossium innominatorum positae, … Amstelodami?, MDCCXXXVIII [1738].

  

Quote p. 2 [Latin]

ICON MEMBRANÆ VASCULOSÆ AD INFIMA ACETABULI OSSIUM INNOMINATORUM Pofitæ, ex puero defumta; ad objectum artificiofiffimè præparatum à CLARISSIMO VIRO FRED. RUYSCHIO, Med: Doct. Anatomes & Botanices Profeffore &c. Delineata, & coloribus diftincta typis impreffa À JOANNE LADMIRAL Proftat AMSTELODAMI Apud JACOBUM GRAAL & HENRICUM DE LETH, Lugduni Batavorum Apud THEODORUM ΗΑΑΚ. MDCCXXXVIII.

IMAGE OF THE VASCULAR MEMBRANE AND INTIMA OF THE ACETABULAR CAVITY OF THE INNOMINATE BONE

Made from the corpse of an infant; skillfully prepared by the famous person FREDERICK RUYSCH, Doctor of Medicine, Professor of Anatomy and Botany, etc. Illustrated and colored by JOHANN ADMIRAL Sold in Amsterdam by JACOB GRAAL AND HENRY DE LETH, in Leiden by THEODORE HAAK. 1738

EXPLICATIO FIGURE

Exhibentis membranulam vafculofam ad infima acetabuli offium innominatorum pofitam; ex Puero defumtam, coloribus iisdem, quibus methodo Ruyfchianâ præparata fuperbit, typis impreffam. 

Res annotatu dignae, funt fequentes.

A. A. A. Portio offium innominatorum, quæ fubjacens hic confunditur mole carneâ rubrâ, a mufculis optimè repletis, hincque fummè rubentibus, relictâ.

B. Acetabulum offium innominatorum, cavo fuo excipiens caput offis femoris, extra fitum hic pofitum, ut interna paterent. 

C. Ligamentum nerveo-cartilagineum, caput offis femoris nectens acetabuli cavo, cinctum undique vafis fanguineis. 

D. Arteriola membranæ ad infima acetabuli fitæ, Hæc membrana, tenuiffimá, contexta ex mirabili vaforum fanguineorum apparatu, non obducit totum acetabulum, fed tantum ejus partem: locum enim habet extra fphæricam acetabuli cavitatem, femoris capiti globofo congruentem, ad infima acetabuli quafi in diverticulo, ita ut caput offis femoris, mobile intra dictam cavitatem, nullâ parte fuæ fuperficiei unquam poffit attingere hanc membranulam, ejusque vafoula, hinc præcavetur attritus perpetuus membranæ, & deftructio tenellorum horum vaforum, unde dolores, inflammationes, fuppurationes, aliaque mala sequerentur, uti eleganter obfervavit Celeberrimus Ruyfchins in Adverfariorum decade fecundâ. 

E. Lineæ, denotantes compofitionem acetabuli extribas offibus, nempe ilii, ifchii, & pubis, quæ juncta fimul conftituunt dic tum acetabulum, in adultis verò hæc apparentia difparet. 

F. Caput offis femoris. 

G. Collum offis femoris. 

H. Trochanter majors

I. Inferior femoris pars abfciffa. 

* Vafa fanguinea per femur diftributa.

 

EXPLANATION OF THE IMAGE

Representing the vascular membrane located in the lower part of the acetabulum of the nameless bone of the pelvis; made from the corpse of an infant, colored with the same hues as per Ruysch's method, and printed in typography. 

The noteworthy details are as follows: 

A. A. A. The portion of the nameless bone, which here blends with the red fleshy mass, well filled with muscles, and hence very red. 

B. The acetabulum of the nameless bone, accommodating the head of the femur, placed here externally to provide access to the internals. 

C. The rigid-cartilaginous ligament connecting the head of the femur to the acetabulum of the pelvis, surrounded by vessels. 

D. The arterial network of the membrane in the lower part of the acetabulum. This membrane, very thin and composed of an astonishing system of vessels, does not cover the entire acetabulum but only a portion of it: it is situated outside the spherical cavity of the acetabulum, in contact with the head of the femur at its lower part, in a diverticulum of the acetabulum, so that the head of the femur, moving within this cavity, never touches this membrane and its vessels, thus preventing constant friction of the membrane and destruction of delicate vessels, which could lead to pain, inflammation, suppuration, and other discomforts, as clearly noted by the renowned Ruysch in the second decade of his Notes. 

E. Lines denoting the structure of the acetabulum from the external bones: ilium, ischium, and pubis, which together constitute the said acetabulum, but in adults, these features disappear. 

F. Head of the femur. 

G. Neck of the femur. 

H. Greater trochanter of the femur. 

I. Severed lower part of the thigh. 

* Vascular network distributed throughout the thigh.

Quote p. 3 [French]

EXPLICATION DE LA FIGURE

Reprefentant la petite Membrane vafculeufe, fitué dans la partie d'en bas de la Cavité des Os innominé, tiré d'un pitit Garçon, imprimé avec la preffe & les mêmes Couleures, dont l'objet, (etant preparé felon l'Art de Monfieur Ruyfch) eft orné. 

Les Chofes les plus remarquables font les fuivantes. 

A.A.A. Une partie des Os innominé, la quelle etant au deffous, eft embaraffé par un Mas de Chair, le quel eft un Refte des Muscles tres-bien Injecté, & qui pour cette Raifon paroit Rouge. 

B. La pitite cavité des os innominé recevant dans fa Concavité la tête de L'os femur, étant mis hors de fa place, afin que l'interieure pareffe Clairement. 

C. La bande nerveufe & Cartilageufe, qui attache le chef de l'os femur à la fusdite cavité, entouré des touts cotéz par des Vaiffeaux. 

D. Les petites Arteres de la membrane, fitué au fond de la cavité. Cette tres-fine membrane compofé des Vaiffeaux fanguinaire, les site quelles pareffent d'une maniere Merveilleufe, ne couvre pas la cavite entierement, mais feulement en partie: Car elle eft placé dans la cavité hors de la concavité Circulaire, & s'emboite avec la Tête fpherique de l'os femur au fond de la cavité, comme dans une retraite, en forte que la tête de l'os femur, etant mobile dans la fusdite concavité, jamais aucune partie des fa Superficie peut toucher cette Membrane, ni aucun de ces vaiffeaux. Ainfi eft prevenu un frottément continuelle de la petite membrane, & un brisement des ces tendre Vaiffeaux, d'où il fanfaivroit des Douleurs, inflammations, putrefactions & autres fortes d'accidents, comme les tres-fameux Proff. Ruifch a remarqué exactement, dans la deuxiême partie des fes dix Annotations.

E. Lignes, defignant une ajuitement de la cavité confistant en trois Os, nommément l'os Ilion, l'os Ifchion & l'os Pubis, les quelles, étant joint ensemble, forme la cavité; mais aux perfonnes d'ages, il paroit n'être que d'un Os fimple. 

F. Le Chef de l'os femur.

G. Le Cou de l'os femur. 

H. Le Trochanter Major. 

I. La Partie d'en bas de l'os femur, coupée. 

* Les Vaifleaux fanguinaire difperfé par l'os femur.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURE

Depicting a small vascular membrane situated at the bottom of the cavity of the innominate bone, taken from the cadaver of a young boy, printed using the same methods and colors commonly employed in Ruysch's method. 

The most notable details are as follows: 

A. A. A. Part of the innominate bone, located below, encased in a mass of flesh, remnants of muscles, very well injected and thus appearing red. 

B. The small cavity of the innominate bone, in which the head of the femur is housed, displaced from its position to allow for clear visibility of the interior. 

C. The tough cartilaginous bundle connecting the head of the femur to the cavity of the innominate bone, surrounded on all sides by vessels. 

D. The small arteries of the membrane, located at the bottom of the cavity. This very thin membrane, composed of vessels arranged wonderfully, does not cover the entire cavity, only a part of it: it is situated in the cavity outside the spherical hollow of it, connecting with the spherical head of the femur at the bottom of the cavity, almost like in a separate chamber, so that the head of the femur, moving within this cavity, never comes into contact with this membrane or its vessels, thereby preventing constant friction of the membrane and the destruction of its delicate vessels, which could lead to pain, inflammation, suppuration, and other discomforts, as extensively noted by the renowned professor Ruysch in the second part of his ten annotations. 

E. Lines indicating the structure of the cavity consisting of three bones, namely the ilium, ischium, and pubis, joined together to form the said cavity, but in adults, these features disappear. 

F. Head of the femur. 

G. Neck of the femur. 

H. Greater trochanter of the femur. 

I. Severed lower part of the femur. 

* Blood vessels distributed throughout the femur.

Quote p. 4 [Dutch]

UYTLEGGING van de AFBEELDING. 

Vertonende het vaatagtige vliesje, leggende in 't onderfte gedeelte van de pan van de ongenaamde beenderen, genomen uyt een Jongetje, door de Pers gedrukt met dezelfde couleuren, daar het voorwerp, volgens de Ruyffiaanfche konft bereit zynde, mede pronkt. 

De merkwaardigfte zaken zyn de volgende 

A. A. A. Een gedeelte van de ongenaamde beenderen, 't welk, onderleggende, alhier belemmert wort door een vleezige klomp, van de zeer wel opgevulde, en daarom zeer root zich vertonende, fpieren overgebleven. 

B. Het pannetje van de ongenaamde beenderen, in zyne holligheit ontfangende het hooft van 't dybeen, alhier buyten zyn plaats geftelt, op dat het inwendige klaar blyken zoude. 

C. De Zenuwagtige kraakbeenige bant, het hooft van 't dybeen hegtende aan de gemelde pan, van alle kanten met vaten omringt. 

D. De flagadertjes van 't vlies in't onderfte van de pan gelegen. Dit zeer dunne vliesje, geweven uyt een wonderbaarlyke verfchyning van bloetvaten, bekleet de gehele pan niet, alleenlyk voor een gedeelte: want het heeft zyn plaats in de pan buyten de kringronde holligheit van dezelve, paffende met het bolronde hooft van 't dybeen, onder in de pan als in een vertrekje gelegen, zo dat het hooft van 't dybeen, beweegbaar binnen de gezegde holligheit, nooit met eenig gedeelte van zyne oppervlakte dit vlies en deszelfs vaatjes kan aanraken, waardoor voorgekomen wort een geftadige vryving van 't vliesje, en een verbryzeling van deze tedere vaatjes, uyt welke pynen, ontstekingen, veretteringen, en andere ongemakken zoude volgen, gelykerwys de zeer Beroemde Ruysch in 't tweede tiental van zyne Aantekeningen naauwkeurig aangemerkt heeft. 

E. Strepen, betekenende een t'zamenstelling van de pan uyt drie beenderen, namentlyk het darm, zit of heupe, en 't fchaambeen, dewelke vereenigt zynde t'zamen deze pan uytmaken; maar in bejaarde menfchen fchynt dezelve uyt een enkel been te beftaan. 

F. Het hooft van 't dybeen. 

G. De hals van 't dybeen. 

H. De grote drayer. 

I. Het onderfte gedeelte van 't dybeen, afgefneden. 

* De bloedvaten door 't dybeen verfpreit.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURE. 

The illustration depicts a vascular membrane located in the lower part of the acetabulum of the innominate bones, taken from the body of a boy, printed using the same colors commonly used in the Ruysch method. 

The most remarkable points are as follows: 

A. A. A. A portion of the innominate bones, situated below, is encased in a mass of muscles, remnants of which are very well infused and therefore appear very red. 

B. The cavity of the innominate bones, receiving the head of the femur, displaced from its position to make the interior clear. 

C. Neurocartilaginous ligament connecting the head of the femur with the indicated cavity, surrounded by vessels on all sides. 

D. The small arteries of the membrane, located at the bottom of the cavity. This very thin membrane, composed of vessels arranged wonderfully, does not cover the entire cavity, only a part of it: it is situated in the cavity outside the spherical hollow of it, connecting with the spherical head of the femur at the bottom of the cavity, almost like in a separate chamber, so that the head of the femur, moving within this cavity, never comes into contact with this membrane or its vessels, thereby preventing constant friction of the membrane and the destruction of its delicate vessels, which could lead to pain, inflammation, suppuration, and other discomforts, as extensively noted by the renowned professor Ruysch in the second part of his ten annotations. 

E. Lines denoting the composition of the cavity from three bones, namely the ilium, ischium, and pubis, joined together to form this cavity; however, in adults, these features disappear. 

F. The head of the femur. 

G. The neck of the femur. 

H. The greater trochanter. 

I. The severed lower part of the femur. 

* Blood vessels distributed throughout the femur. 

 


External links

l'Admiral J. Icon membranae vasculosae ad infima acetabuli ossium innominatorum positae, … Amstelodami?, MDCCXXXVIII [1738]. [wellcomecollection.org , archive.org , books.google] 

Authors & Affiliations 

Joanne Ladmiral (1698/99-1773) was a painter, engraver, and book illustrator from the northern Netherlands. [wikipedia.org , portal.dnb.de] 

Jan l'Admiral
 Self-portrait of the artist (1738-1773);
original in the wikimedia.org collection (CC0 – Public Domain, color correction).

Frederik Ruysch (1638–1731) was a Dutch botanist and anatomist, a praelector of the Amsterdam surgeon's guild, a professor of botany in the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. [wikipedia.org]

Portrait of Frederik Ruysch (1694)
The author of the image is Juriaen Poo;
original in the wikipedia.org collection (CC0 – Public Domain, color correction)


Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, anatomy, child, image, blood supply, vascularization

                                                                     

NB! Fair practice / use: copied for the purposes of criticism, review, comment, research and private study in accordance with Copyright Laws of the US: 17 U.S.C. §107; Copyright Law of the EU: Dir. 2001/29/EC, art.5/3a,d; Copyright Law of the RU: ГК РФ ст.1274/1.1-2,7


BLOG CONTENT

IMAGES AND VIDEOS

SCIENTIFIC SYNONYMS


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

IMPROVING POSTOPERATIVE COMFORT...

  Improving Postoperative 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 models. The...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

2008DoddsMK_McCormackD

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Dodds MK et al . Transarticular stabilization of the immature femoral head: assessment of a novel surgical approach to the dislocating pediatric hip in a porcine model (2008). The article describes an experiment of reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in pigs with the formation of a femoral tunnel. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2008DoddsMK_McCormackD . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Acetabular dysplasia and hip instability are common in neuromuscular diseases such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy due to deranged muscle function around the hip. Occasionally in developmental dysplasia of the hip, persistent instability may be difficult to manage by standard treatments. It i...
Post a Comment
Read more

LCF in 2025 (December)

  LCF in 2025 ( December)   (Quotes from articles and books published in  December  2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Sarassa, C., Aristizabal, S., Mejía, R., García, J. J., Quintero, D., & Herrera, A. M. (2025). Intraosseous Tunneling and Ligamentum Teres Ligamentodesis “Teretization” to Enhance Stability in Congenital Hip Dislocation Surgery: Surgical Technique and Mid-Term Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics , 10-1097.   [i]      journals.lww.com   Kampouridis, P., Svorligkou, G., Spassov, N., & Böhme, M. (2025). Postcranial anatomy of the Late Miocene Eurasian hornless rhinocerotid Chilotherium. PLoS One , 20 (12), e0336590.     [ii]      journals.plos.org   Burdette, T. N., Hsiou, C. L., McDonough, S. P., Pell, S., Ayers, J., Divers, T. J., & Delvescovo, B. Sidewinder syndrome associated with complete rupture of the ligamentum capitis ossis femoris in a horse. Eq...
Post a Comment
Read more

2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF

  Article: Wenger DR et al. Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results (2008). The article describes a method of open reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) for hip dysplasia. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF . Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results   Wenger DR, Mubarak SJ, Henderson PC, Miyanji F   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Surgical technique & Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Purpose The ligamentum teres has primarily been considered as an obstruction to reduction in children with developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). In the ea...
Post a Comment
Read more

1724FabriciusJA

Fragments from the book Fabricius JA. Bibliothecae Graecae volume duodecimum (1724). The author quotes the Byzantine physician Theophilus Protospatharius, who supposedly lived between the 7th and 10th centuries. Selected passages provide views on the normal anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and its inherent connective function.   [Grc] θεοφιλος ο Πρωτοσπαθάριος . Περὶ τῆς τοῦ ανθρώπου κατασκευῆς . Βιβλιον Ε . XIII, [p. 892] (see fig.) [Lat] Theophilus Protospatharius. De corporis humani fabrica, Liber quintus, Cap. XIII [p. 892] 1) Dei erga homines amor ex heminae fundo teretem nervum promisit, cartilaginosum vinculum femoris capiti insertum adstringensque, ne facile elabatur:» 2) inde ex heminae oris aliae copulae oriuntur, totum femoris caput in orbem constringentes, non teretes & solae, qualis quae ex fundo porrigitur, sed latae, valenter que heminae oras ad commissurae praesidium ambientes.   Translation [Eng] 1) For the sake ...
Post a Comment
Read more

2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Hosalkar HS et al . Isocentric reattachment of ligamentum teres: a porcine study (2011). The article describes a method of isocentric fixation of the proximal end of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) during plastic surgery in an experiment on pigs. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Recent reports reveal interest in the mechanical importance of ligamentum teres (LT) in hip dislocation. In the previously established procedure of anteroinferior acetabular LT reattachment in developmental dysplasia of the hip, the LT functions as a check-rein, showing promising results. However, this position of reattachment could potentially limit motion. Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB

  Article: Abibe RB et al. Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits (2023). The article describes experimental reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in rabbits. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB . Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits Abibe RB, Rahal SC, Reis Mesquita LD, Doiche D, da Silva JP, Mamprim MJ, Pinho RH, Battazza A, Alves CEF, Saunders WB   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Background Ligamentum teres (LT) has traditionally been considered a vestigial or redundant structure in humans; however, based on new studies and the evolution of hip arthroscopy, the LT injury has been viewed as a source of hi...
Post a Comment
Read more

2007WengerD_OkaetR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Wenger D et al . The mechanical properties of the ligamentum teres: a pilot study to assess its potential for improving stability in children’s hip surgery (2007). The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2007WengerD_OkaetR . [ii]   Original text Abstract The anatomic and histological characteristics of the ligamentum teres and its vascular contributions to the femoral head have been well described. The function of the ligamentum teres remains poorly understood. Although excision is the current standard in treating complete developme...
Post a Comment
Read more