1991FussFK_BacherA

Abstract and citation of the article Fuss FK, Bacher A. New aspects of the morphology and function of the human hip joint ligaments (1991). The authors suggest that ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is unable to exert a restricting function, despite reaching a state of tension in extreme adduction.

Quote 1.

Abstract

The capsular ligaments of the human hip joint were submitted to exact morphological analysis, and they proved to be multiple and numerous. We have described various ligamentous systems and their interconnections, and have suggested new terminologies and systematics. The ligaments were subjected to functional analysis by means of measuring strips to determine the positions in which the ligaments are taut. The ligament systems were all found to serve a restrictive function, and various parts of the apparatus restricted all possible movements in the hip joint. Extension is restricted by the medial iliofemoral complex, abduction by the pubofemoral ligament, and adduction by the posterior coxal ligaments and by the superior ischiofemoral ligament. Flexion is restricted by the inferior ischiofemoral ligaments, inward rotation by the superior ischiofemoral ligament, and outward rotation by the lateral iliofemoral complex. Only the ligament of the femoral head is unable to exert a restricting function, despite reaching a state of tension in extreme adduction.

Quote 2.

The function of the ligament of the femoral head

The distance between acetabular and femoral attachments of the ligament of the femoral head is maximal in extreme adduction (when not combined with extreme flexion or extension). The anterior part is most lengthened during inward rotation, while the posterior part is most stretched in the course of outward rotation. The ligament was found to be under some degree of tension in these positions. This was also proven by the fact that the transverse ligament of the acetabulum was pulled slightly upwards in maximal adduction. However, no augmentation of adduction could be obtained by severing the ligament of the femoral head. The ligaments of the articular capsule thus are solely responsible for the restriction of adduction. When the opposite situation was tested (capsule removed but ligament of the femoral head maintained), an increase of adduction could only be obtained by dislocating the joint, and this only when the axis of dislocation coincided with the acetabular notch (Fig. 7). In summary, we cannot attribute any significant role to the ligament of the femoral head, specifically with regard to restricting adduction.

External links

Fuss FK, Bacher A. New aspects of the morphology and function of the human hip joint ligaments. American journal of anatomy. 1991;192(1)1-13. [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]

Authors & Affiliations

Franz K. Fuss

Institute of Anatomy (1st Department) of the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Andreas Bacher

Institute of Anatomy (1st Department) of the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Keywords

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

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BLOG CONTENT

ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE

20th Century

Comments

Catalog. LCF of Extinct Species

Discussion of the LCF and morphological signs of its existence in extinct species. Funston, G. F. (2024). Osteology of the two-fingered oviraptorid Oksoko avarsan (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlae011. [ academic.oup.com ] Hafed, A. B., Koretsky, I. A., Nance, J. R., Koper, L., & Rahmat, S. J. (2024). New Neogene fossil phocid postcranial material from the Atlantic (USA). Historical Biology, 1-20. [ tandfonline.com ] Kuznetsov, A. N., & Sennikov, A. G. (2000). On the function of a perforated acetabulum in archosaurs and birds. PALEONTOLOGICAL JOURNAL C/C OF PALEONTOLOGICHESKII ZHURNAL, 34(4), 439-448. [ researchgate.net ] Romer, A. S. (1922). The locomotor apparatus of certain primitive and mammal-like reptiles. Bulletin of the AMNH; v. 46, article 10. [ digitallibrary.amnh.org , digitallibrary.amnh.org(PDF) ] Słowiak, J., Brusatte, S. L., & Szczygielski, T. (2024). Reassessment of the enigmati...

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LCF in 2025 ( November ) (Quotes from articles and books published in October 2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris) Awad, A., Rizk, A., ElAlfy, M., Hamed, M., Abdelghany, A. M., Mosbah, E., ... & Karrouf, G. (2025). Synergistic Effects of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles and Platelet Rich Fibrin on Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis Repair in a Rat Model. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials , 113 (11), e35672. [i] onlinelibrary.wiley.com Loughzail, M. R., Aguenaou, O., Fekhaoui, M. R., Mekkaoui, J., Bassir, R. A., Boufettal, M., ... & Lamrani, M. O. (2025). Posterior Fracture–Dislocation of the Femoral Head: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Sch J Med Case Rep , 10 , 2483-2486. [ii] saspublishers.com , saspublishers.com Vertesich, K., Noebauer-Huhmann, I. M., Schreiner, M., Schneider, E., Willegger,...

2025ChenJH_AcklandD

The article by Chen JH, Al’Khafaji I, Ernstbrunner L, O’Donnell J, Ackland D. Joint contact behavior in the native, ligamentum teres deficient and surgically reconstructed hip: A biomechanics study on the anatomically normal hip (2025). The authors experimentally demonstrated the role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in unloading the upper sector of the acetabulum and the femoral head. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2025ChenJH_AcklandD . Joint contact behavior in the native, ligamentum teres deficient and surgically reconstructed hip: A biomechanics study on the anatomically normal hip By Chen JH, Al’Khafaji I, Ernstbrunner L, O’Donnell J, Ackland D. CONTENT [i] Abstract [ii] Introduction [iii] Materials and methods [iv] Results [v] Discussion and Conclusion [vi] References [vii] Application [i] Abstract Background The ligamentum teres is known to contribute to hip joint st...

1816MeckelJF

The author discusses the anatomy and function of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF), and also identifies one of the reasons for its damage. The translation was done in collaboration with ChatGPT 3.5. Meckel JF. Handbuch der menschlichen Anatomie. Zweiter Band. Besondere Anatomie. Halle, Berlin: Buchhandlung des Hallischen Waisenhauses, 1816. [fragment] Quote p p . 3 65 -366 c. Runds band §. 948. Gerade vor dem Theile der Synovialhaut, welcher auf der Lücke unter dem brückenförmigen Theile der Knorpellippe liegt, entspringt ein, ungefähr einen Zoll langes, sehr länglichviereckiges Band, das runde Band des Oberschenkels (Ligamentum ossis femoris teres s. rotundum) welches, an beiden Enden etwas ausgebreitet, sich mit seis nem äußern an die Bertiefung im Kopfe des Oberschenkels beines heftet und zu noch größerer Befestigung deffelben beiträgt. Es besteht aus longitudinalen Fasern, welche sich an das obere un...

2025VertesichK_ChiariC

Content [i] Annotation [ii] Original text (in German) [iii] References [iv] Source & links [v] Notes [vi] Authors & Affiliations [vii] Keywords [i] Annotation Fragments from the article: Vertesich K, Noebauer-Huhmann IM, Schreiner M, Schneider E, Willegger M, Böhler C, Windhager R, Chiari C. The position of the femoral fovea can indicate hip instability and highly correlates with lesions of the ligamentum teres: an observational study (2025). The authors discuss the diagnosis of pathology of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) based on radiological & MRI data. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2025VertesichK_ChiariC . [ii] Original text (in German) The position of the femoral fovea can indicate hip instability and highly correlates with lesions of the ligamentum teres: an observational study Klemens Vertesich, Iris-Melanie Noebauer-Huhmann, Marku...

BIBLICAL DAMAGE

Biblical damage (Artists and sculptors on the LCF damage described in the Bible: painting, sculpture, icon, fresco, engraving…) 386Brescia_Casket Bas-relief. Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 6c.Vienna_Genesis Miniature. Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 10c.Cross Bas-relief. Drawing depi cting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 1000Jacob&Archangel Fresco. Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 1050Aelfric Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 1140St.Marie-Madeleine Capital. Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 1143 Palantine_Chapel Mosaic . Drawing depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the LCF injury. 1213L’histoire_ancienne. M iniature . Drawing depicting the circumstances and mecha...

1898AshhurstJ

Report Ashhurst J. Tuberculosis of the hip joint (1898). The author discusses the function of the LCF as a supporting element of the body, its role in the development of deformity of the hip joint, reducing pressure and stress in the femoral head. The most notable quotes: «Of course, the whole weight of the body is not sustained by this ligament, but mostly by the head of the femur in more or less close contact with the cotyloid cavity; but this ligament, I believe, serves to diminish the pressure of the pelvis upon the head of the bone, and to lessen strain. The position of the ligamentum teres is like that of the old-fasioned leather springs which used to be found in stage- coaches, the body of the coach being balanced upon two broad strong bands of leather. The pelvis is to a certain extent similarly balanced upon these ligaments on either side, which are attached to the heads of the thigh- bones, and then pass down to the lower edges of the cotyloid cavities. I b...

DIAGNOSTICS AND EXAMINATION

DIAGNOSTICS AND EXAMINATION (Diagnostic, examination and testing methods... ) Catalog. LCF Pathology Tests Tests for the detection of pathology LCF. 2004VialleR_GlorionC The article discusses the examination technique for dislocation of the femur and describes the radiographic symptom of infringement of the damaged LCF. 2025VertesichK_ChiariC The authors discuss the diagnosis of pathology of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) based on radiological & MRI data. BLOG CONTENT DIAGNOSTICS AND EXAMINATION

1918GrayH

Fragments from the book Gray H. Anatomy, descriptive and surgical (1918; 20th e d . ). The selected passages on the anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and color illustrations. Fig. 235. — Right hip bone. External surface. Quote p. 237 The Acetabulum (cotyloid cavity). — The acetabulum is a deep, cup-shaped, hemispherical depression, directed downward, lateralward, and forward. It is formed medially by the pubis, above by the ilium, laterally and below by the ischium; a little less than two-fifths is contributed by the ilium, a little more than two-fifths by the ischium, and the remaining fifth by the pubis. It is bounded by a prominent uneven rim, which is thick and strong above, and serves for the attachment of the glenoidal labrum (cotyloid ligament), which contracts its orifice, and deepens the surface for articulation. It presents below a deep notch, the acetabular notch, which is continuous with a circular non-articular depression, the acetabular fossa, at th...

1832MeckelJF

Fragments of the book Meckel JF. Manual of general, descriptive, and pathological anatomy (1832) dedicated to ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). The author briefly discusses abnormalities of the LCF and its distal insertion. Quote p. 257 § 308. Among the deviations from the normal state, primitive deviations of the external form are rare, and usually attend anomalies of the other tissues. Among these we arrange, for instance, the absence of the tendons of the abdominal muscles, that of the ligaments of the vertebral column, and that of the dura mater of the brain and spinal marrow, &c., in a congenital fissure of the abdomen, of the vertebral column, and of the skull, and that of the tendons and the muscles of a finger, when the finger itself is wanting. But the fibrous organs are seldom deficient, when the other tissues with which they combine to form a part are present — for instance, the tendon alone of a muscle is rarely absent, or the tunica sclerotica, when the othe...

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