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

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MORPHOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

Comments

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

1724FabriciusJA

Fragments from the book Fabricius JA. Bibliothecae Graecae volume duodecimum (1724). The author quotes the Byzantine physician Theophilus Protospatharius, who supposedly lived between the 7th and 10th centuries. Selected passages provide views on the normal anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and its inherent connective function. [Grc] θεοφιλος ο Πρωτοσπαθάριος . Περὶ τῆς τοῦ ανθρώπου κατασκευῆς . Βιβλιον Ε . XIII, [p. 892] (see fig.) [Lat] Theophilus Protospatharius. De corporis humani fabrica, Liber quintus, Cap. XIII [p. 892] 1) Dei erga homines amor ex heminae fundo teretem nervum promisit, cartilaginosum vinculum femoris capiti insertum adstringensque, ne facile elabatur:» 2) inde ex heminae oris aliae copulae oriuntur, totum femoris caput in orbem constringentes, non teretes & solae, qualis quae ex fundo porrigitur, sed latae, valenter que heminae oras ad commissurae praesidium ambientes. Translation [Eng] 1) For the sake ...

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...

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...

163-192Galen

Fragment from the treatise Galen. On anatomical procedures (Περὶ Ἀνατομικῶν Ἐγχειρήσεων, ca. 163-192). The author writes about the high resiliency and hardness of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF), and also notes its connective function. See our commentary at the link: 163-192Galen [Rus], and 2020ArkhipovSV_ProlyginaIV . Quote [Grc] Περὶ Ἀνατομικῶν Ἐγχειρήσεων. Βιβλιον B. K εφ . ι ʹ . Αλλά χρή σε, καθάπερ επί της χειρός επεσκέψω τους συνδέσμους των οστών, ούτω και νυν επισκέψασθαι πασών των γεγυμνωμένων διαρθρώσεων, πρώτης μεν της κατ' ισχίον, εχούσης ένα μεν εν κύκλω σύνδεσμον, απάντων των άρθρων κοινόν, (ουδέν γάρ έστιν, ότω μή περιβέβληται τοιούτος σύνδεσμος,) έτερον δε τον διά του βάθους εν τη διαρθρώσει κατακεκρυμμένον, ος συνάπτει την κεφαλήν του μηρού τη κατ' ισχίον κοιλότητι, πάνυ σκληρός ών, ώς ήδη δύνασθαι λέγεσθαι νεύρον χονδρώδες. (original source: 1821KühnCG, pp. 328-329) [Lat] De Anatomicis Administrationibus. Liber II. Cap. X. Verum considerare te convenit, ut i...

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