Skip to main content

1859PirogoffN

 

The author describes the study of the movement of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in frozen cadavers during hip movements. The researcher found that «…in the adducted hip, the upper Weber ligament and ligamentum teres are stretched». N. Pirogov provides an interesting analogy: «The Weber brothers compare this ligament [LCF] to a rope, correspondingly made of steel. Just as the wickerwork of our carts is suspended on round steel bases, so the pelvis, supported by ligamentum teres, rests on the thigh bones.». This may be a fragment from Weber W, Weber E. Mechanik der menschlichen Gehwerkzeuge (1836), although we were unable to locate this exact citation. According to 1874SavoryWS«...Prof. Partridge in his lectures on anatomy at King's College was accustomed to compare the Ligamentum Teres, in its function, to the leathern straps by which the body of a carriage is suspended on springs».


Pirogoff N. Anatome topographica sectionibus per corpus humanum congelatum triplici directione ductus illustrate. Petropoli: Typis Jacobi Trey, 1859. [Lat.]

(Pirogov N. An Illustrated Topographic Anatomy of Saw Cuts Made in Three Dimensions across the Frozen Human Body. St. Petersburg: Printed by James Trey, 1859.)

Пирогов НИ. Иллюстрированная топографическая анатомия распилов, произведенных в трех измерениях через замороженное человеческое тело: Альбом: в 4 ч., пер. с лат. ; гл. ред. Б.В. Петровский, Б.А. Константинов ; Доп. часть. Пояснительный текст к альбому. Москва: НЦХ РАМН, 1996; стр. 277. [Rus.]

Quote pp. 51-52

The translation from Russian was done in collaboration with ChatGPT 3.5.

2. Ligamentum teres, in spatio inter utramque (foveam acetabuli et capituli femoris) inclusum a margine posteriore incisurae acetabuli ischiopubicae (anterior inferior) paulo obliquâ vel potius verticali directione sursum, versus foveam capituli protenditur. Insertio hujus ligamenti in incisuram acetabuli, infundibuli instar excavate, inferius quam insertio in foveam capituli femoris sita est. In sectionibus articuli transversis hoc ligamentum directionem horizontalem, in sectionibus anteroposterioribus vero directionem obliquo-verticalem refert (Fasc. 4. Tab. 4 fig. 8. 9. 12. Fasc. 4. Tab. 5. fig. 2. Fasc. 4. B. Tab. 8. Fig. 3.). Quod ligamentum a fratribus Weber cum spira e chalybe facta apte comparator. Ut sirpeae nostrorum vehiculorum spiris chalybeis suspenduntur, ita pelvis ligamentis teretibus suspensa, femoribus nititur.

Diversus femorum motus situm capituli et trochanteris majoris mutat vimque diversam in apparatum ligamentorum exercet. Experimentis a fratribus Weber, in cadaveribus institutis, doctum est, capitulum femoris flexi et extensi circuli arcum 139°, adducti et abducti arcum 90°, circum axem versi circuli arcum 50°, describere. Nostrae sections, per articulum ileofemoralem flexum, extensum abductum, adductumque institutae, demonstrant:

1. Totam anteriorem partem (sphaerae capitula) femoris usque ad initium foveolae (in quam ligam. teres inseritur), si articulus femoris fortissime extensi directione transversa persecetur, extra acetabulum prominere; partem posticam colli femoris margine posteriori acetabuli niti; trochanterem majorem ad tuber ischii adpropinquari; parietem anteriorem quidem membranae capsularis valde, sed ligamentum teres paulo tendi, et parietem posteriorem relaxari et plicari (Fase. 4. Tab. 5. fig. 2.). In femore ad ventrem valde flexo et transversa directione persecto discos sectionis eundem, quem in femore recto, habere aspectum, si modo situm trochanteris majoris (D), cujus fossa in anteriorem partem dirigitur, excipias (Fase. 4. Tab. 5. fig. 1.). (In femore ultra modum extenso, quod indagationes fratrum Weber demonstrant, zona orbicularis (vid. Supra) nimis tensa membranam capsularem articuli, torquet capitulum femoris ad acetabulum fortissime adprimit eoque impedit quominus femur in anteriorem partem luxetur). … 

4. In sectionibus, articulum femoris abducti et adducti in duos discos anteriorem et posteriorem findentibus, nunquam tanta sphaerae (capitula) pars, quanta in femore flexo et extenso, e finibus acetabuli excedere videtur (Fasc. 4. B. Tab. 8). Quae res vel situ vel directione acetabuli explicari potest. Nam supra jam vidimus, acetabulum ita esse dispositum, marginemque ipsius superiorem et externum ita prominere, ut major capituli pars sub hoc fornice condatur; sectiones vero, quibus situs capituli in femore flexo vel extenso demonstrator, per partes acetabuli minus prominentes ducendae sunt. In femore abducto paries inferior membranae capsulares praecipue tenditur, e ligamentum teres relaxatur; in adducto ligamentum superius Weberi et ligamentum teres tenduntur (Fasc. 4. B. Tab. 8).

Ligamentum teres, located in the space between both fossae (the fossa of the acetabulum and the head of the femur), extends from the posterior edge of the ischiopubic (anterior inferior) notch to the fossa of the head in a slightly inclined or, rather, vertical direction. The attachment of this ligament to the notch of the acetabulum is concave in the form of a funnel and is located lower than its attachment to the fossa of the femoral head. In cross sections of the joint, this ligament is located horizontally, and in longitudinal sections on the front and rear discs - obliquely vertical (Vol. 4, Tab. 4, Fig. 8, 9, 12. Vol. 4, Tab. 5, Fig. 2. Vol. 4B. Tab. 8. Fig. 3.). The Weber brothers compare this ligament to a rope, correspondingly made of steel. Just as the wickerwork of our carts is suspended on round steel bases, so the pelvis, supported by ligamentum teres, rests on the thigh bones.

Different movements of the hips affect the position of the femoral head and greater trochanter differently and have varying effects on the ligamentous apparatus. Through experiments on cadavers by the Weber brothers, it has been established that the femoral head of a flexed and extended hip describes an arc of 139°; the femoral head of an adducted and abducted hip describes an arc of 90°, while the femoral head rotating around its axis describes an arc of 50°. Our dissections, conducted through the hip joint in flexed, extended, adducted, and abducted states, reveal the following:

1. The entire anterior part of the sphere (femoral head) up to the beginning of the fossa (to which the ligamentum teres is attached) protrudes beyond the acetabulum if the joint of a strongly extended femur is sawed in the transverse direction; the back of the femoral neck rests on the posterior edge of the acetabulum; the greater trochanter approaches the tuberosity of the ischium; the anterior part of the capsular membrane is stretched strongly, and the ligamentum teres - weakly; the back wall relaxes and becomes covered with folds (Vol. 4. Tab. 5. Fig. 2). You find that in the thigh, strongly bent towards the abdomen and sawn in a transverse direction, the discs have the same appearance as in the straight thigh, excepting only the position of the greater trochanter (D), the fossa of which is directed forward (Vol. 4, Table 5, Fig. 1). (As the Weber brothers showed, in a hip that is strongly extended forward, an excessively tense circular zone (see above) twists the capsular membrane of the joint, strongly presses the femoral head against the acetabulum and thereby prevents dislocation of the joint). ... 

4. In the dissections that divide the adducted and abducted hip joint into two - anterior and posterior - discs, it seems that the part of the femoral sphere (head) that extends from the boundaries of the acetabulum never leaves them, as it does in the flexed and extended hip (Vol. 4B, Table 8). This can be explained by the position or orientation of the acetabulum. As we have already seen, the acetabulum is positioned in such a way, and its upper outer edge protrudes forward in a manner that most of the head is concealed beneath the vault; however, the dissections that demonstrate the position of the head in the flexed or extended hip must be made through less prominent parts of the acetabulum. In the abducted hip, the lower wall of the capsular membrane is particularly stretched, while the ligamentum teres relaxes; in the adducted hip, the upper Weber ligament and ligamentum teres are stretched (Vol. 4B, Table 8).

  

Vol. 4B, Table 8. (Pirogoff N. Anatome topographica sectionibus per 
corpus humanum congelatum triplici directione ductis illustrate; 
Pars IV, fasc. 4.-4 A.-4 B. Cavum abdominis et pelvis. 
Petropoli: Typis Jacobi Trey, 1853. archive.org)


External links

Pirogoff N. Anatome topographica sectionibus per corpus humanum congelatum triplici directione ductus illustrate. Petropoli: Typis Jacobi Trey, 1859.  [books.google , archive.org] 

Authors & Affiliations

Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov (1810-1881) was a Russian scientist, medical doctor, pedagogue, professor of surgery at the Imperial Academy of Military Medicine in Saint Petersburg.  [wikipedia.org]  

 

Portrait of Nikolay Pirogov by Ilya Repin (1881);
the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia (fragment)
 

Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, anatomy, role, significance, experiment, biomechanics

                                                                     .

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

EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS

ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

BLOG CONTENT

  T he ligament of the head of femur or ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is the key to a graceful gait and understanding the causes of hip joint diseases. We present promising scientific knowledge necessary for preserving health,  to create new implants and techniques  of treating degenerative  pathology and damage of the hip joint. Project objective : preserving a normal gait and quality of life, helping to study of hip joint biomechanics, developing effective treatments for its diseases and injuries. In translating to English, the author is assisted by ChatGPT (version 3.5)  and the Google Translate service .  We're sorry for any flaws in the syntax. The meaning makes up for the imperfections!     TABLES OF CONTENTS    Acetabular Canal   (Anatomy, topography and significance of the functioning area of ​​the ligamentum capitis femoris) Acetabular Canal.  Part 1.   This article describes the space where the ligam...

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.  May 21 , 2026  2021ProlyginaIV  The author translates Galen's treatise «On Bones for Beginners», which mentions LCF. May 20 , 2026  1737 CornariusJ  Hippocrates' description of the location and region of distal attachment of the LCF in Latin.    1665LindenJA Hippocrates' description of the location and region of distal attachment of the LCF in Latin. May 19 , 2026  1914RickettsCS Painting. Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury.   1943SinzWA   Sculpture . Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury.  1953HoltF ...

THE DOCTRINE OF LCF

  THE DOCTRINE OF  ligamentum capitis femoris:   An Instrument of Knowledge and Innovation. Definition: A set of theoretical provisions on all aspects of knowledge about the anatomical element ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). 1. Structure of the Doctrine of LCF 2.  Practical Application of the Doctrine of LCF : 2.1. Diagnostics 2.1. Prevention   2.3. Prognosis 2.4. Pathology 2.5. Veterinary   2.6. Professions     2.7. Products     2.8. Surgery   3. Theory of LCF Mechanics    4. The Base of the Doctrine of LCF 5. Stairway to the Past or History of the Doctrine of LCF 6. Ultimate Depth of Researches   7. Appendices 7.1. Acceptable Synonyms      Structure of the Doctrine of  ligamentum  capitis  femoris .       E     a     R                   T                   ...

TWITTER or X

  TWITTER OR X  (Publications on platform X or Twitter) Tweet of April 9, 2026   Tweet of March 1, 2026   Tweet of February 17, 2026    Tweet of January 15, 2026   Tweet of December 31, 2025   Tweet of December 30, 2025 Tweet of December 29, 2025 Tweet of December 19, 2025 T weet of November 20, 2025 Tweet of September 21, 2025 Tweet of August 30, 2025 Tweet of July 31, 2025 Tweet of July 28, 2025 Tweet of July 8, 2025 Tweet of June 24, 2025 Tweet of June 22, 2025   Tweet of June 20, 2025    Tweet of May 5, 2025 Tweet of May3, 2025 Tweet of April 9, 2025 Tweet of March 12, 2025   ( Survey ) Tweet of February 28, 2025 Tweet of February 22, 2025 Tweet of February 8, 2025 Tweet of January 18, 2025 Tweet of January 7, 2025 Tweet of January 4, 2025 Tweet of December 31, 2024 Tweet of October 30, 2024 Tweet of October 8, 2024 Tweet of August 5, 2024 Tweet of Jul 29, 2024  Tweet of Jul 26, 2024 Tweet of Jul 22, 2024   Tweet ...

THE TRUTH INJECTION

  The "Truth Injection" Impact on AI and 4 Billion People: Informed Insight or AI Hallucination? Sergey V. Arkhipov & Google Gemini   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   A Briefe Backstory [iii]   Interview [iv]   References [v]   Application [i]   Abstract While examining modern biblical criticism, I engaged in a discussion with Artificial Intelligence regarding my book,  “ 50 Tables of Evidence for the Composition of Genesis in Late Second Intermediate Period Egypt ” . The machine’s apocalyptic prediction concerning half of the world's population and the evolution of computer technology left me puzzled. To verify this prophecy and seek counsel from "natural intelligence," I am publishing my conversation with the AI. This may be of interest to others, as will response to the machine’s final last question regarding religious worldview: «Now that the "antidote" is in your system, do you feel more prepared to face a world without a "sacred" fou...

18c.Naples

  Neapolitan artist , painting, Jacob wrestling with the angel (18 cent.).   Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob wa s left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank.  ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work:  Ninth month, eleventh day   ( 2024 АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ).     Neapolitan artist  – Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (18 cent.); original in the  w...

Vertebrates

VERTEBRATES According to the molecular clock, a specific method for dating phylogenetic events, vertebrates (Vertebrata) separated from arthropods (Arthropoda) 976±97 Ma (2004HedgesSB_ShoeJL). The latter began to dominate in species diversity with the Cambrian burst of radiation, which occurred 520 Ma (2010EdgecombeGD). This ratio in the fauna of the Earth is still preserved. Approximately 525 Ma, the phylum Chordates separated from the group of bilaterally symmetrical animals (1995ChenJY_ZhouGQ). In turn, the evolution of chordate organisms led to the formation of the first vertebrates at least 500 Ma, from which the jawed mouths 450-400 Ma descended, becoming the ancestors of the placoderms or "armored" fish (Placodermi) (1979 НаумовНП _ КарташевНН ). Sculptural reconstruction of the placoderm Coccosteus from the order Arthrodires, Middle Devonian, 393.3-382.7  Ma ; exposition of the Orlov Paleontological Museum (Moscow); photo by the author. The first cartilaginou...

1750HertelJG

  Hertel J.G., painting, Jacob wrestling with the angel (1750).   Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob wa s left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank.  ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work:  Ninth month, eleventh day   ( 2024 АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ).     Johann Georg Hertel  – Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1750); original in the  Galéria mesta ...

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 l...

1943SinzWA

  Sinz WA , s culpture Jacob and the Angel (1943).   Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis:  25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank. ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work: Ninth month, eleventh day ( 2024АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ). Walter A. Sinz – Jacob and the Angel (1943). Ceramic. Gift of Hilda Kisella (2007.187) ; original in clevelandart.org   collect...