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

BLOG CONTENT

MORPHOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

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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...

2018YoussefAO

Content [i] Annotation [ii] Original text [iii] References [iv] Source & links [v] Notes [vi] Authors & Affiliations [vii] Keywords [i] Annotation Abstract of the article: Youssef AO. Medial approach open reduction with ligamentum teres partial excision and plication for the management of congenital hip dislocation (2018). The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2018YoussefAO . [ii] Original text Abstract Because of the known tendency for early redislocation following open reduction, we developed surgical methods for shortening the ligamentum teres to improve immediate postoperative stability when performing medial approach open reduction (MAOR) for the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Between 2004 and 2014, 32 patients w...

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...

11th-15th Century

11th-15th Century Catalog of archived publications of the specified period 11th century 976-1115Theophilus Protospatharius The author writes about the normal anatomy of the LCF and its connective function. 1012-1024Avicenna The author writes about the localization and variant of the pathology LCF, leading to hip dislocation. 1039-1065Giorgi Mtatsmindeli The translator mentions the LCF damage, and notes its presence in animals. 12 th century 1120-1140Judah Halevi The author mentions LCF (גיד) of mammals. 1176-1178(a)Rambam The author mentions the pathology of LCF (גיד) in humans and points out the presence of this structure in animals. 1176-1178(b)Rambam The author writes about the localization of LCF (גיד) ) and distinguishes it from a tendon, blood vessel or nerve. 1185-1235David Kimchi The author writes about the localization, purpose, and injury of the LCF (גיד), and also talks abo...

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...

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...

Catalog. Classifications of LCF Pathology

The classifications are intended to systematize of ligamentum capitis femoris pathology and assist in the development of general approaches to its description, registration, analysis and treatment. Keywords ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, hip joint, histology, pathological anatomy, pathology, trauma INTRODUCTION In Russia, the initial attempts to classify pathology of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) were made by morphologists. The development of arthroscopic surgery has made it possible to identify various, previously undescribed types of LCF pathology, which prompted the development of various modern classifications based on intraoperative observations. Analysis of literature data and our own morphological observations allowed us to propose a General Classification of the Ligamentum Teres Pathology, which has the form of a collection of classifiers, as well as a Classification of Functions of the Ligamentum Teres. The ...

1834MitchellE_KnoxR

Description and drawings of the proximal attachment and blood supply of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) from book Mitchell E, Knox R. Engravings of the ligaments (1834 ). PLATE VI PLATE VI. … 49. The round ligament of the hip-joint, which arises from the sinus in the bottom of the acetabulum and descends into the head of the femur. 50. A portion of it which is thinner and membranous. 51. Portion of a ligament which arises from the outer surface of the ischiatic cavity and surrounds its neck as far as the notch of the acetabulum; there however it makes its way into the acetabulum, passing under the arch of the cotyloid ligament. 52. Branch of the obturator artery. 53. Two twigs which penetrate into the cotyloid cavity along with the ligament 51, to mingle with the round ligament. PLATE VII PLATE VII. Fig. 1. … 19, 19. Remarkable glands, which are concealed in the sinus of the acetabulum. 20. Origin of the exterior ligament which arises fr...

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...

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...

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