Skip to main content

1917TrevesF_MackenzieC

 

Fragments from the book Treves F, Keith A, Mackenzie C. Surgical Applied Anatomy, 7th ed. (1917). The authors discusses the strength and significance of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and its changes in hip dislocations and dysplasia.

 

Quote pp. 542-543

3. THE HIP-JOINT

The manner in which the various movements at the hip are limited may be briefly expressed as follows: The limit of every natural movement is fixed by the extensibility of the muscles which surround a joint. That is readily seen at the hip-joint, for when the knee is extended, and the hamstring muscles thus tightened, flexion at the hip is limited long before the ligaments become tense. Ligaments only come into play when the muscular defence of the joint breaks down. Flexion, when the knee is bent, is limited by the contact of the soft parts of the groin. Extension, by the ilio-psoas, rectus femoris, and the ilio-femoral or Y -ligament. Abduction, by the adductor mass of muscles and the pubo-capsular ligament. Adduction of the flexed limb, by the gluteal musculature, the ligamentum teres and ischio-capsular ligament. Rotation outwards is resisted by the tensor fasciae femoris, the anterior parts of the glutei medius and minimus, and the ilio-femoral ligament. The ligamentum teres, which is not a strong ligament, becomes taut when the thigh is flexed and rotated outwards. It is ruptured in all cases of complete dislocation. The structures which take the chief part in maintaining the integrity of the joint, however, are not the ligaments but the strong muscles which surround and act on the joint. Atmospheric pressure bears no part, for the fat at the transverse notch is readily drawn into the acetabulum to make good any space vacated by the femoral head in all normal movements erf the hip-joint. All joints are provided with yielding pads of fat to obviate alterations of atmospheric pressure interfering with movements in the joint.

 

Quote p. 550

Blood is brought to the head of the femur by vessels in the neck of the bone and in the reflected parts of the capsule, but only an insignificant supply is carried by the ligamentum teres (Walmsley). A deficiency in the blood supply to the fragments has been often put forward to explain failures of union, but there is no real evidence to support this contention.

 

Quote pp. 553-554

Congenital dislocation of the hip-joint is due in most instances to a failure in the development of the acetabulum. In such cases the acetabulum retains the shallow character seen during the second month of foetal life. The outgrowth of the acetabular rim fails, especially in the iliac part. The acetabular cavity becomes filled up by the duplication of the capsule, which is unduly lax (Fig. 123). The round ligament may be intact or deficient. The head of the femur becomes flat and the neck short, and the bone slips backwards on the dorsum ilii when the child learns to walk. The weight of the body is supported by the muscles and ligaments round the hip-joint, and the gait of the patient resembles the waddle of a duck. If replaced the head again slips from the shallow cavity. In time osteophytic outgrowths from the ilium lead to the formation of a new cavity. The deformity is evidently correlated with the development of the female sexual organs, for it occurs nearly nine times more frequently in female than in male children (Fairbanks).

 

Quote pp. 554-555

General facts. — In all these dislocations of the hip, (a) the luxation occurs when the limb is in the position of abduction; (b) the rent in the capsule is always at its posterior and lower part; (c) the head of the bone always passes at first more or less directly downwards; (d) the Y-ligament is untorn, while the ligamentum teres is ruptured.

(a) It is maintained that, in all luxations at the hip, the pelvis and femur are in the mutual position of abduction of the latter at the time of the accident. The lower and inner part of the acetabulum is very shallow, and the lower and posterior part of the capsule is very thin. In abduction the head of the bone is brought to the shallow part of the acetabulum; it moves more than half out of that cavity; it is supported only by the thin weak part of the capsule, and its further movement in the direction of abduction is limited only by the pubo-capsular ligament, a somewhat feeble band. In abduction the round ligament is slack, and in abduction with flexion both the Y-ligament and the ischio-capsular ligaments are also relaxed. In the position of abduction, therefore, no great degree of force may be required to thrust the head of the bone through the lower and posterior part of the capsule and displace it downwards.

 



External links

Treves F, Keith A, Mackenzie C. Surgical Applied Anatomy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, New York: Lea and Febinger, 1917. [archive.org]

Authors & Affiliations

Frederick Treves (1853–1923) was a British surgeon and anatomist. [wikipedia.org]

Frederick Treves (1884)
Unknown author, original in the 
wikimedia.org collection (CC0 – Public Domain, no changes).

Arthur Keith (1866-1955) was a British anatomist and anthropologist. [wikipedia.org]

Arthur Keith
Unknown author and date, original in the 
wikimedia.org collection (CC BY 4.0, no changes).

Colin Mackenzie (1877-1938) was an Australian anatomist. [wikipedia.org] 


Keywords

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

                                                                     

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


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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 ...

Who, When, and Where Wrote the Book of Genesis?

  Who, When, and Where Wrote the Book of Genesis?  A Medical Hypothesis By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD & Lyudmila N. Arkhipova, BSN     CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Egyptian physician [iv]   Asian diviner [v]   Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis is an example of an ancient literary text that contains important medical insights. We propose that it was written in northern Egypt in the late 17th century BCE, approximately ten years after the Minoan eruption. The protograph likely emerged from the collaboration between an Asiatic seer, who rose to the rank of an Egyptian official, and an Egyptian physician-encyclopedist. By refining its dating and authorship, this hypothesis positions Genesis as a credible source of medical and historical data, thereby enhancing its value for interdisciplinary research. [ii]   Introduction According to Rabbinic Judais...

Full access to the PDF version of the book: HUMAN CHILDREN

  Full access to the PDF version of the book is now available: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. An essay with references to interactive materials. 2nd revised and expanded edition. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. (In Russian)].  Google Play  ,  Google Book , drive.google.com   ,   kruglayasvyazka.blogspot.com   [Архипов С.В. Дети человеческие: истоки библейских преданий в обозрении врача. Эссе, снабженное ссылками на интерактивный материал. 2-е изд. перераб. и доп. Йоэнсуу : Издание Автора , 2025.]   Annotation The first version of the Book of Genesis appeared in Ancient Egypt approximately 3,600 years ago, during the Hyksos period. The work was conceived as a fairy tale epic. An unknown physician-encyclopedist, who is also presumed to have authored the Edwin Smith Papyrus, played a role in its composition. He supplemented the co-author's family legends, retellings of halluc...

2012MansmannKA

  Invention (Patent Application Publication): Mansmann KA. Tendon-sparing implants for arthroscopic replacement of hip cartilage. WO2012162571A1 (2012).  The original text of the document contained defects.   WO2012162571A1S US Inventor: Kevin A. Mansmann Worldwide applications 2012 WO Application PCT/US2012/039481 events: 2012-05-24 Application filed by Mansmann Kevin A 2012-11-29 Publication of WO2012162571A1   Tendon-sparing implants for arthroscopic replacement of hip cartilage Kevin A. Mansmann   Abstract Surgical implant devices are disclosed which will allow completely arthroscopic resurfacing of the acetabular socket, and the femoral head, in hip joints, in both humans, and in animals such as dogs. Such devices, made of flexible polymers with smooth articulating surfaces and porous anchoring surfaces, can be provided with centered openings, to allow a surgeon to spare the major ligament (the ligamentum teres) which connects the femoral head to the pelv...

1753TarinP

  Fragments from the book Tarin P. Ostéo-graphie (1753). The author notes the localization of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and uses synonyms: ligament rond, ligamentum teres capitis femoris. The text is prepared for machine translation using a service built into the blog from Google or your web browser. Quote p. 24 Les Ligamens de l'extrémité inférieure sont, 1°. la Membrane capsulaire, &c. de la cavité cotyloïde, le Ligament rond, l'Appareil ligamenteux propre à cette cavité; le Ligament transveríal interne de son bord, le transversal externe, les deux Ligamens glanduleux; … Quote p. 54. Illæ tres offeæ portiones simul unitæ Cavitatem cotyloïdeam q.t. a. constituunt, in qua occurrit Foveols h. glandulas synoviales articulationis excipiens, cuique sesc inserit ligamentum teres capitis femoris, &c. Vid. t. u. v. TAB. I. II. III. External links Tarin P. Ostéo-graphie, ou Description des os de l'adulte, du foetus, &c. Precedée d'une introduction a l'etu...

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 22, 2026 Full access to the PDF version of the book: Human Children January 16, 2026 The necessary is needed by no one   (facebook) January 15, 2026 Tweet of January 15, 2026      A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation   (facebook) January 14, 2026 2026 ArkhipovSV.  THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS ( A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction ). January 05, 2026 2018YoussefAO The article describes a me thod for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation.   2007WengerD_O...

Tweet of January 15, 2026

  A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction: The Gifts of the Magi for Orthopedic Surgeons.  DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25269.33763   https://roundligament.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-gifts-of-magi-for-orthopedic.html Tweet of January 15, 2026 #ligamentum_teres   #hip_joint #arthroscopy #reconstruction BLOG CONTENT TWITTER OR X                                                                            

Paradox. The necessary is needed by no one

  Post in a community for patients after arthroplasty.                                                                                                          A question for the patient community from an implant designer (if the Admin allows it). Hello everyone, I have a question regarding Total Hip Replacement (THR). As many of you know, dislocations remain a serious risk after surgery. This often happens because a prosthesis lacks the natural ligament that stabilizes a healthy joint. I have developed an experimental prosthesis designed for significantly higher stability. This anti-dislocation effect is achieved by creating an "internal ligament" within the construct. Theoretically, this would allow patients to bring th...

TWITTER or X

  TWITTER OR X  (Publications on platform X or Twitter) Tweet of December 31, 2025   Tweet of December 30, 2025 Tweet of December 29, 2025 Tweet of December 19, 2025 T weet of November 20, 2025 Tweet of September 21, 2025 Tweet of August 30, 2025 Tweet of July 31, 2025 Tweet of July 28, 2025 Tweet of July 8, 2025 Tweet of June 24, 2025 Tweet of June 22, 2025   Tweet of June 20, 2025    Tweet of May 5, 2025 Tweet of May3, 2025 Tweet of April 9, 2025 Tweet of March 12, 2025   ( Survey ) Tweet of February 28, 2025 Tweet of February 22, 2025 Tweet of February 8, 2025 Tweet of January 18, 2025 Tweet of January 7, 2025 Tweet of January 4, 2025 Tweet of December 31, 2024 Tweet of October 30, 2024 Tweet of October 8, 2024 Tweet of August 5, 2024 Tweet of Jul 29, 2024  Tweet of Jul 26, 2024 Tweet of Jul 22, 2024   Tweet of Jul 17, 2024   Tweet of Jul 12, 2024   Tweet of Jul 11, 2024   Tweet of Jul 7, 2024 Tweet of Jul 6, 2024   Twe...