Skip to main content

1858GrayH

 

Fragments from the book Gray H. Anatomy, descriptive and surgical (1858, first edition). The selected passages of the "classical" anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and original illustrations of Henry Carter. 

Quote p. 81

The cotyloid cavity or acetabulum, is a deep cup-shaped hemispherical depression; formed internally by the pubes, above by the ilium, behind and below by the ischium, a little less than two-fifths being formed by the ilium, a little more than two-fifths by the ischium, and the remaining fifth by the pubes. It is bounded by a prominent uneven rim, which is thick and strong above, and serves for the attachment of a fibro-cartilaginous structure, which contracts its orifice and deepens the surface for articulation. It presents on its inner side a deep notch, the cotyloid notch, which transmits the nutrient vessels into the interior of the joint, and is continuous with a deep circular depression at the bottom of the cavity: this depression is perforated by numerous apertures, lodges a mass of fat, and its margins serve for the attachment of the ligamentum teres. The notch is converted, in the natural state, into a foramen by a dense ligamentous band which passes across it. Through this foramen the nutrient vessels and nerves 

Quote p. 111

The head, which is globular, and forms rather more than a hemisphere, is directed upwards, inwards, and a little forwards, the greater part of its convexity being above and in front. Its surface is smooth, coated with cartilage in the recent state, and presents a little behind and below its centre a rough depression, for the attachment of the ligamentum teres. 

Fig. 87. — Right Femur. Anterior Surface. [fragment] 

Quote p. 170

I. Hip Joint, (fig. 121). This articulation is an enarthrodial, or ball and socket joint, formed by the reception of the globular head of the femur into the cup-shaped cavity of the acetabulum. These two articulating surfaces are covered with cartilage, that on the head of the femur being thicker at the centre than at the circumference, and covering the entire surface with the exception of a depression just below its centre for the ligamentum teres; that covering the acetabulum is much thinner at the centre than at the circumference, and is deficient in the situation of the circular depression at the bottom of this cavity. The ligaments of this joint are the Capsular. Cotyloid. Ilio-femoral. Transverse. Teres. Synovial Membrane. 

Fig. 121. — Left Hip-joint laid open. 

Quote p. 171

The Ligamentum Teres is a flat triangular band of fibres, implanted by its apex into the depression just below the middle of the head of the femur, and by its broad base, which consists of two bundles of fibres, into the margins of the notch at the bottom of the acetabulum, becoming blended with the transverse ligament. It is formed of a bundle of fibres, the thickness and strength of which is very variable, surrounded by a tubular sheath of synovial membrane. Sometimes the synovial fold only exists, or the ligament may be altogether absent. 


External links

Gray H. Anatomy, descriptive and surgical; the drawings by H.V. Carter; the dissections jointly by the author and Dr. Carter. London: J.W. Parker, 1858. [archive.org]

Authors & Affiliations

Henry Gray (1825-1861) was a British anatomist and surgeon. [wikipedia.org] 

Henry Gray
Author: H. Pollock, unknown date;
original in the 
wikimedia.org collection (CC BY 4.0, no changes).

Henry Vandyke Carter (1831-1897) was an English anatomist, surgeon, and anatomical artist. [wikipedia.org]

 

Henry Vandyke Carter (ca. 1870)
Author: Henry Vandyke Carter;
original in the 
wikimedia.org collection (CC0 – Public Domain, no changes).


Keywords

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

                                                                     

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

13c.Soligalich

   Soligalich , icon, Jacob wrestling with the angel ( 13 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 ).     Soligalich  – Jacob Wrestling with the Angel ( 13 cent. ); original in the  leonovval...

2018WhiteBJ_HerzogMM

   Article: White BJ et al. Simultaneous acetabular labrum and ligamentum teres reconstruction: a case report (2018). A case of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) reconstruction using a tendon graft is described. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2018WhiteBJ_HerzogMM . Simultaneous acetabular labrum and ligamentum teres reconstruction: a case report   White BJ, Scoles AM, Herzog MM   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract This study aims to present the surgical technique for reconstructing both the acetabular labrum and the ligamentum teres and to describe the early outcomes of this procedure in a 15-year-old male with recurrent hip instability. A 15-year-old patient with recurrent left hip dislocation, hip joint instability and failed non-operative intervention presented f...

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS

  Translation of the article:   Архипов СВ. Новая техника проксимального крепления при реконструкции ligamentum capitis femoris: Дары волхвов ортопедическим хирургам. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .  A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction: The Gifts of the Magi for Orthopedic Surgeons S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland     CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Technique [v]   Discussion [vi]   Conclusion [vii]   Appendix [viii]   References [ix]   Structured Abstract [x]   Additional material [i]   Abstract An experimental technique for reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (ligamentum teres femoris) is described. The proposed method involves creating two portions of the ligament analog: a pubic portion and an ischial portion. Fixation of thes...

2025SarassaC_HerreraAM

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article : Sarassa C. et al . I ntraosseous Tunneling and Ligamentum Teres Ligamentodesis “Teretization” to Enhance S tability in Congenital Hip Dislocation Surgery: Surgical Technique and Mid-Term Outcomes (2025). The article describes a technique for fixing the femoral head using the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2025SarassaC_HerreraAM . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with complete dislocation (grade ≥III) in older patients often requires open reduction. However, achieving long-term stability remains challenging. This study introduces and evaluates a novel surgical technique, intraosseous tunneling ...

LCF in 2026 (January)

  L CF in 2026 ( January )   (Quotes from articles and books published in  January  2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Villegas Meza, A. D., Nocek, M., Felan, N. A., Speshock, A., Bolia, I. K., & Philippon, M. J. (2025). Hip Microinstability: Current Concepts in Diagnosis, Surgical Management, and Outcomes A Narrative Review. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine , 205-221.   [i]   tandfonline.com   ,   dovepress.com   Wang, C. H., Wang, J. H., Lin, Y. H., Shih, C. A., & Hong, C. K. (2026). An Unusual Mechanical Cause of Hip Subluxation Following Modified Dunn Procedure for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Case Report. Formosan Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders , 10-4103.   [ii]     journals.lww.com   Alsaghaier, A. (2026). Results of spica cast in treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip in children between 6-18 Months. Journal of Academic Research , 30 , 28-43.   [...

1976CrelinES

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   Illustrations [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Article : Crelin ES. An experimental study of hip stability in human newborn cadavers (1976). The author described an experimental study of the role of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in stabilizing the hip joint and its significance for the occurrence of congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 1976CrelinES . [ii]   Original text (in   German)   An Experimental Study of Hip Stability in Human Newborn Cadavers E. S. Crelin Sections of Gross Anatomy and Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 Received August 21, 1975   The less frequent variety of hip dislocation occurs before birth and may be associated with neuromuscular disorders such as arthrogr...

LCF in 2025 (August)

  LCF in 2025 ( August )   (Quotes from articles and books published in  August  2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Castro, A., de Melo, C., & Leal, F. (2025). Complications in hip Arthroscopy: Recognizing and managing adverse events. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma , 103144.   [i]   journal-cot.com   Negayama, T., Nishimura, H., Murata, Y., Nakayama, K., Takada, S., Nakashima, H., ... & Uchida, S. (2025). Factors associated with treatment failure after hip arthroscopic surgery for the patient with femoroacetabular impingement secondary to Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Journal of ISAKOS , 100937.   [ii]   jisakos.com   Wegman, S. J., Shaikh, H., Brodell Jr, J. D., Cook, P. C., & Giordano, B. D. (2025). Femoral head osteochondral allograft transplantation with and without simultaneous periacetabular osteotomy: a case series. Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery , hnaf037.   [iii] ...

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]   ...

LCF in 2024 (September)

Publications about the LCF 2024 (September). Chen, P. L., Lu, Y. H., & Hsieh, C. P. (2024). Hip Arthroscopy-assisted Reduction for Irreducible Hip Dislocation: A Case Report.  Formosan Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders ,  15 (3), 115-119. [i]   journals.lww.com   Domb, B. G., Owens, J. S., Lall, A. C., Harris, W. T., & Kuhns, B. D. (2024). Ten-Year Outcomes in Patients Aged 40 Years and Older After Primary Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement With Labral Repair.  The American Journal of Sports Medicine , 03635465241270291. [ii] journals.sagepub.com   Rossi, F. W., Osman, M., & Mormile, I. (Eds.). (2024).  Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Disorders . Frontiers Media SA. [iii] books.google.fi   Jimenez, R. Q., Walsh, E., & Domb, B. G. (2024). Revision Hip Arthroscopy: Getting It Right the Second Time.  Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine , 151108. [iv] ...

LCF in 2024 (October)

  Publications about the LCF 2024  ( October ) .   Gänsslen, A., Lindtner, R. A., Krappinger, D., & Franke, J. (2024). Pipkin fractures: fracture type-specific management. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.  1-14. [i]   link.springer.com   Vesey, R. M., MacDonald, A. A., Brick, M. J., Bacon, C. J., Foo, G. L., Lu, M., ... & Woodward, R. M. (2024). Imaging characteristics of hip joint microinstability: a case–control study of hip arthroscopy patients. Skeletal Radiology.   05 Oct: 1-11.   [ii]   link.springer.com   Wu, W., Liu, M., Zhou, C., Mao, H., Wu, H., Wu, Z., & Ma, C.  (2024).  Efficacy of Outside‐In Hip Arthroscopy without Traction in the Treatment of Hip Synovial Osteochondromatosis. Orthopaedic Surgery.  9999:n/a.   [iii]   onlinelibrary.wiley.com   Yang, J., Zhang, T., Zhu, X., He, Z., Jiang, X., & Yu, S. (2024). miRNA-223-5p Inhibits Hypoxia-induced Apoptosi...