1868AebyCT

Christoph Aeby believed that the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is the internal capsule of the joint. The author presents the classical viewpoint: the LCF does not have significant importance for joint stabilization.

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

Aeby CT. Der Bau des menschlichen Körpers mit besonderer Rücksicht auf seine morphologische und physiologische Bedeutung… Erste lieferung. Leipzig: F.C.W. Vogel, 1868. [fragments]
p. 304

Fig. 130. A, Senkrechter, B, wagerechter Querschnitt des linken Hüftgelenkes. (1/2 N. G.) a, os pelvis; b, femur mit trochanter major. α, labrum glenoidale; β, lig. teres.	Fig. 130. A, Vertical, B, horizontal cross-section of the left hip joint. (1/2 N. G.) a, os pelvis; b, femur with trochanter major; α, labrum glenoidale; β, lig. teres.
pp. 305-306
Wie im Schultergelenk, so erhält auch im Hüftgelenk die Pfanne einen aus festem bindegewebigem Filze gebildeten, in scharfem Rande auslaufenden Saum (labrum glenoidale), der sie rings umzieht. Er folgt nicht bloss der Knorpelfläche, sondern geht ohne Unterbrechung auch über die von ihr gelassene Lücke hinweg. Er vergrössert daher nicht bloss die Pfanne nach den Seiten hin, sondern vervollständigt auch ihren Rand, indem er deren Einschnitt zur Oeffnung umwandelt. Die Ringform der Gelenkflächen bedingt eine ganz eigenthümliche Anordnung der Gelenkkapsel. Sie wird zu einer doppelten und begränzt die Gelenkhöhle nicht bloss, wie gewöhnlich, an Einer, sondern an zwei einander gegenüber liegenden Seiten. In unserm Falle sind die beiden Kapseln einander freilich so unähnlich, dass man nur der einen, der äussern, diese Bedeutung zugestanden hat, die andere dagegen unter dem durchaus unzutreffenden Namen des runden Bandes (lig, teres) als eine Bildung ganz eigener Art glaubte hinstellen zu sollen. Richten wir unser Augenmerk vor allem auf diese vielfach verkannte innere Kapsel (lig. capsulare int.). Sie ist nur von geringer Stärke und kann selbst, obgleich nur ausnahmsweise, ganz oder theilweise fehlen. Ihr Umfang entspricht dem Innenrande der beiden Gelenkflächen, und sie stellt demnach ein trichterförmig gegen die Pfanne erweitertes Rohr vor. An dieser umspannt sie den Pfannengrund, indem sie nach unten an den frei über dessen Einschnitt hinweggehenden Theil des labrum glenoidale sich anheftet; am Kopfe folgt sie dem innern Knorpelsaume. Ihre obere Wand ist so tief nach unten ausgestülpt, dass sie an die untere fast unmittelbar sich anlegt und mit ihr scheinbar ein einfaches, plattgedrücktes Band (eben das fälschlich sogenannte lig. teres) erzeugt, das von der incisura acetabuli steil zur Grube des Gelenkkopfes emporsteigt. Die Aussenfläche der innern Gelenkkapsel wird theils von Fett-, theils von Sehnenlagen überdeckt, welche das von ihr gebildete Rohr vollständig ausfüllen und durch den Pfanneneinschnitt frei nach aussen hervortreten.	As in the shoulder joint, the socket in the hip joint also has a lip (labrum glenoidale), made of hard connective tissue and ending sharply, which surrounds the socket on all sides. It not only follows the surface of the cartilage, but also passes through the gap created by it without interruption. Therefore, he not only widens the cavity on the sides, but also completes its edge, turning its cut into an opening. The ring shape of the joint surfaces determines a very peculiar arrangement of the joint capsule. It becomes double and confines the joint cavity not only on one side, as usual, but also on two opposite sides. In our case, both capsules are certainly so dissimilar that only one of them, the outer one, is given such importance, while the other, entirely erroneously called the round ligament (lig. teres), is considered a formation of an entirely different kind. Let's focus primarily on this often underestimated inner capsule (lig. capsulare int.). It possesses only a small degree of strength and may, although rarely, be completely or partially absent. Its extent corresponds to the inner edge of both joint surfaces, and therefore it represents a funnel-shaped tube directed towards the socket. Here it encompasses the bottom of the socket, attaching to it from below to the free part of the labrum glenoidale; on the head, it follows the inner edge of the cartilage. Its upper wall is so deeply descended downward that it practically immediately joins the lower one, creating together what appears to be a simple, flattened strip (the so-called lig. teres), which sharply rises from the incisura acetabuli to the fovea of the femoral head. The outer surface of the inner joint capsule is partially covered by layers of fat and tendons, which completely fill the tube formed by it and freely protrude outward through the incision of the socket.
p. 307
Für die Sicherung und Eindämmung des Gelenkes ist das innere Kapselband wohl ohne Bedeutung; höchstens vermag es durch seine lockern Fettmassen zur Ausgleichung etwaiger Incongruenzen einiges beizutragen.	The internal capsular ligament likely does not play a significant role in joint stabilization; at best, it may contribute to compensating for any discrepancies due to its free fat masses.
Fig. 130. A, Senkrechter, B, wagerechter Querschnitt des linken Hüftgelenkes. (1/2 N. G.) a, os pelvis; b, femur mit trochanter major. α, labrum glenoidale; β, lig. teres.	Fig. 130. A, Vertical, B, horizontal cross-section of the left hip joint. (1/2 N. G.) a, os pelvis; b, femur with trochanter major; α, labrum glenoidale; β, lig. teres.

External links

Aeby CT. Der Bau des menschlichen Körpers mit besonderer Rücksicht auf seine morphologische und physiologische Bedeutung… Erste lieferung. Leipzig: F.C.W. Vogel, 1868. [books.google , digitale-sammlungen.de]

Authors & Affiliations

Christoph Theodor Aeby (1835-1885) was a Swiss anatomist, anthropologist, and academic. [en.wikipedia.org]

Christoph Theodor Aeby (c. 1880)
Unknown author; original in the wikimedia.org collection
(CC0 – Public Domain, no changes)

Keywords

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

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

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Comments

1902RilkeRM

Works of art that mention ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) are extremely rare. One such work is the poem «Der Schauende» ( He Who Visions, The Seer, The Man Watching, The Beholder) b y Rainer Rilke. Below is the original text in German. Der Schauende 1. Ich sehe den Bäumen die Stürme an, die aus laugewordenen Tagen an meine ängstlichen Fenster schlagen, und höre die Fernen Dinge sagen, die ich nicht ohne Freund ertragen, nicht ohne Schwester lieben kann. 2. Da geht der Sturm, ein Umgestalter, geht durch den Wald und durch die Zeit, und alles ist wie ohne Alter: die Landschaft, wie ein Vers im Psalter, ist Ernst und Wucht und Ewigkeit. 3. Wie ist das klein, womit wir ringen, was mit uns ringt, wie ist das groß; ließen wir, ähnlicher den Dingen, uns so vom großen Sturm bezwingen, - wir würden weit und namenlos. 4. Was wir besiegen, ist das Kleine, und der Erfolg selbst macht uns klein. Das Ewige und Ungemeine will nicht von uns gebogen sein. Das ist der Enge...

1823CooperA

According to the author, the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is intended to prevent dislocations in all directions. A. Cooper discusses traumatic obturator dislocation of the hip joint and LCF injury in more detail. Cooper A. Abhandlung über Luxationen und Fracturen der Gelenke des Unterkiefers, der obern Extremitäten und der Knochen des Rumpfes. Aus dem Englischen. Weimar : Landes-Industrie-Comptoir, 1823. [fragments] Quote p. 1 4 8 Das ligamentum teres hat die Bestimmung, Luras tionen nach allen Richtungen hin zu verhindern, besonders aber nach abwärts, denn wenn die Schenkel weit ausein andergespreizt werden, wie z. B. bei'm Fechten, so würde der Kopf des linken Oberschenkelknochens in Gefahr feyn, aus seiner Gelenkhöhle zu schlüpfen, was aber durch dieses Ligament verhindert wird. The ligamentum teres is designed to prevent dislocations in all directions, especially downwards, because when the thighs are widely ab...

LCF in 2026 (May)

LCF in 2026 (May ) (Quotes from articles and books published in May 2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris) Kim, P. S., Kang, C., Lee, J. K., & Hwang, J. M. (2026). Hip arthroscopy to treat symptomatic paralabral cysts: a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes. Arthroscopy and Orthopedic Sports Medicine , 13 (1), 27-34. [i] e-aosm.org Ko, H. Y. (2026). Vascular Anatomy of the Extremities and Lungs. In Practical Functional Anatomy for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Guide for Physiatrists and Rehabilitation Specialists (pp. 191-223). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. [ii] link.springer.com Aiba, H., Yamaguchi, M., Kimura, H., & Murakami, H. (2026). Advances in limb-salvage surgery and reconstruction for pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors. Frontiers in Pediatrics , 14 , 1817788. [iii] pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Bajwa, A., Villar, R., ...

A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation

Arkhipov SV. A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction: The Gifts of the Magi for Orthopedic Surgeons. About Round Ligament of Femur. January 14, 2026. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25269.33763 https://roundligament.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-gifts-of-magi-for-orthopedic.html Abstract Purpose: To describe an experimental technique for proximal fixation in ligamentum capitis femoris (ligamentum teres femoris; LCF) reconstruction using pubic and ischial portions anchored in corresponding pelvic bone tunnels, tested on synthetic hip joint models, and to propose it’s for arthroscopic application with visualization via an inferior portal and femoral tunnel. Methods: Synthetic polyurethane bone analogs (Synbone) of the pelvis and proximal femur were used to fabricate hip joint models. Acetabular cartilage analogs were created from self-curing plastic compound. Femoral tunnels were drilled along the neck axis from the subtrochanteric region below the tub...

1740KulmusJA

Fragments from the book Kulmus JA. Tables anatomiques (1734). The author briefly writes about the anatomy, properties and attachment of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). There are known translations of the treatise into Latin ( 1732KulmusJA ) and French ( 1734KulmusJA ). Quote p. 51 [Deu] Translation [Eng] с . In the upper part of the head there is a recess in which the round ligament is attached. Quote p. 54 [Deu] Translation [Eng] 2.) The round ligament is short but very strong; it arises at the bottom of the acetabulum and joins the fossa at the top of the femoral condyle. External links Kulmus JA. Anatomische Tabellen: Nebst dazu gehörigen Anmerckungen und Kupffern, Daraus des gantzen Menschlichen Cörpers Beschaffenheit und Nutzen deutlich zu ersehen; Welche Den Anfängern der Anatomie zu bequemer Anleitung verfasset hat… Nuremberg, Frankfort, Leipzig: J.A. von Creutz, MDCCXXXX [1740]. [ archive.org ] Authors & Affiliations Johann Adam Kulmus (...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 13

Short retelling of chapter 13 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian] Chapter 13. PROPHETIC DREAMS After his wanderings and battles, Abraham settles in “Mamre’s oaks in Hebron.” Following these events, he experiences a divine “word in a vision” and a dream promising him lands “from Egypt’s river to the great river, Euphrates.” His family relocates to a desert along the Shur road, near the well “Beer-Lahai-Roi,” between Kadesh and Bered. In another divine appearance, Abraham is commanded to circumcise all males’ foreskins, rename Sarai as Sarah, and is told he’ll father a child at 100, despite Sarah’s barrenness at 89. That day, Abraham circumcises his son Ishmael, household males, and, at 99, himself. In Mamre’s oaks, during “daytime heat,” a mirage foretells fatherhood. The dream shifts, showing Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction and Lot’s miraculous rescue. ...

LCF in 2025 (July)

LCF in 2025 ( July ) (Quotes from articles and books published in July 2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris.) Tekcan, D., Bilgin, G., & Güven, Ş. Evaluation of Risk Factors for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. HAYDARPAŞA NUMUNE MEDICAL JOURNAL , 65 (2), 99-103. [i] jag.journalagent.com Domb, B. G., & Sabetian, P. W. (2025). Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Gluteal Tendinopathy, Partial Tear, Complete Tear, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, and Bursitis. In Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (pp. 1-17). Springer, Cham. [ii] link.springer.com Kuhns, B. D., Becker, N., Patel, D., Shah, P. P., & Domb, B. G. (2025). Significant Heterogeneity in Existing Literature Limits Both Indication and Outcome Comparability Between Studies Involving Periacetabular Osteotomy For Acetabular Dysplasia With or Without Arthroscopy Despite Improvement for Both: A Systematic Review. Arthroscopy . [iii] ...

1851HyrtlJ

The author expresses a classic view on the functions of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF): a conductor of blood vessels and a limiter of adduction of the femur. J. Hyrtl believed that it was impossible to completely dislocate the hip without tearing the LCF. Hyrtl J. Lehrbuch der Anatomie des Menschen, mit Rücksicht auf physiologische Begründung und praktische Anwendung. Wien: W. Braumüller, 1851. [fragment] Quote p. 265 In der Höhle des Gelenks liegt das runde Band des Schenkelkopfes (Lig. teres), welches an der Incisura acetabuli entspringt, und bei richtiger Neigung des Beckens, senkrecht zur Grube des Schenkelkopfes aufsteigt. Es beschränkt dieses Band die Zuziehung des Schenkels, und schreibt zugleich den durch die Incisura acetabuli eindringenden Blutgefässen den Weg vor, den sie zum Oberschenkelkopfe zu nehmen haben. Da das Band, wenn es in die Höhle des Gelenkes vorragen würde, durch Reibung viel zu leiden hätte, so...

1730CheseldenW

Fragments from the book Cheselden W. The Anatomy of the Human Body (1730). The author draws attention to the role of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in counteracting hip dislocation and maintaining the femoral head in the joint. The work notes that the LCF is “powerful” and “short” - “about two inches” i.e. approximately 5 cm! This error will be corrected in a subsequent treatise ( 1733CheseldenW ) . Quote pp. 43 - 44 Chap. VII. Of the Ligaments At the upper part of the articulation of the Os Femoris and Os Innominatum, is a strong ligament of great consequence; it contributing very much to preserve that joint from being luxated by the weight of the body. And from the lower edge of the Acetabulum of the Os Innominatum, runs a ligament to the middle of the head of the Os Femoris, about two inches long (which the Motion in this joint requires) called Teres, or Rotundum, whose use is to prevent the Os Femoris from being luxated upwards, but down wards it will le...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 14

Short retelling of chapter 14 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian] Chapter 14. ESAU AND JACOB At 40, Isaac marries Rebekah, his cousin’s daughter. Their marriage is long childless until Rebekah conceives twins, detected prenatally, possibly by her large belly or palpation. Genesis states that at 60, Isaac fathers the twins, born naturally after 20 years of marriage. The first, Esau, emerges “red, all hairy like a cloak,” followed by Jacob, unremarkable but grasping Esau’s heel. Over time, their differences deepen: Esau, a skilled hunter, roams fields; Jacob, gentle, stays in tents. Famine forces the family from “Beer-Lahai-Roi” in the Negev to “Gerar’s Philistine king,” then to “Gerar’s valley,” and finally to Beersheba. At 40, Jacob, urged by Rebekah, deceives blind Isaac to steal Esau’s inheritance, sparking enmity. Rebekah advises Jacob to flee to rela...

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