Skip to main content

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

MORPHOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

2012FrederickP_KelmanDC

   Invention (Patent): Frederick P, Belew K, Jasper L, Gatewood J, Gibson L, Masonis J, Cooper M, Kelman DC. Methods and apparatus for FAI surgeries.  US20120283840A1   (2012).   US20120283840A1 US Inventors: Phillip Frederick, Kevin Belew, Lauren Jasper, James Gatewood, Luke Gibson, John Masonis, Michael Cooper, David C. Kelman Current Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc Worldwide applications 2010 KR JP RU BR CA US CN EP CN WO AU 2014 US 2016 AU 2017 AU Application US13/202,612 events: 2010-02-25 Заявка подана Smith and Nephew Inc 2010-02-25 Приоритет US13/202,612 2012-11-08 Публикация US20120283840A1 2014-12-02 Заявка удовлетворена 2014-12-02 Публикация US8900320B2 Статус: Активный 2031-06-08 Измененный срок действия   Methods and apparatus for FAI surgeries Phillip Frederick, Kevin Belew, Lauren Jasper, James Gatewood, Luke Gibson, John Masonis, Michael Cooper, David C. Kelman   Abstract A partial rim implant for an acetabulum in a pelvic bone comprise...

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...

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...

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...

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...