Skip to main content

1902RilkeRM

  

Works of art that mention ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) are extremely rare. One such work is the poem «Der Schauende» (He Who Visions, The Seer, The Man Watching, The Beholder) by Rainer Rilke. Below is the original text in German.


 

Der Schauende

1. Ich sehe den Bäumen die Stürme an, die aus laugewordenen Tagen an meine ängstlichen Fenster schlagen, und höre die Fernen Dinge sagen, die ich nicht ohne Freund ertragen, nicht ohne Schwester lieben kann.

2. Da geht der Sturm, ein Umgestalter, geht durch den Wald und durch die Zeit, und alles ist wie ohne Alter: die Landschaft, wie ein Vers im Psalter, ist Ernst und Wucht und Ewigkeit.

3. Wie ist das klein, womit wir ringen, was mit uns ringt, wie ist das groß; ließen wir, ähnlicher den Dingen, uns so vom großen Sturm bezwingen, - wir würden weit und namenlos.

4. Was wir besiegen, ist das Kleine, und der Erfolg selbst macht uns klein. Das Ewige und Ungemeine will nicht von uns gebogen sein. Das ist der Engel, der den Ringern des Alten Testaments erschien: wenn seiner Widersacher Sehnen im Kampfe sich metallen dehnen, fühlt er sie unter seinen Fingern wie Saiten tiefer Melodien.

5. Wen dieser Engel überwand, welcher so oft auf Kampf verzichtet, der geht gerecht und aufgerichtet und groß aus jener harten Hand, die sich, wie formend, an ihn schmiegte. Die Siege laden ihn nicht -ein. Sein Wachstum ist: der Tiefbesiegte von immer Größerem zu sein.

(Rainer Rilke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Mitte Januar, 1901)


Translation of quote

[Eng]

The Man Watching

...
4. When we win it's with small things, 
and the triumph itself makes us small. 
What is extraordinary and eternal
does not want to be bent by us. 
I mean the Angel who appeared
to the wrestlers of the Old Testament:
when the wrestlers' sinews 
grew long like metal strings, 
he felt them under his fingers 
like chords of deep music.
...

(Translated by Robert Bly, 1981)

  

1902RilkeRM


1906RilkeRM



External links

Rilke RM. Das Buch der Bilder. Berlin: Axel Juncker Verlag, 1902. [dfg-viewer.de]

Rilke RM. Das Buch der Bilder. Berlin, Leipzig, Stuttgart: Axel Juncker Verlag, 1906. [archive.org]

Bly R. Selected Poems of Rainer Maria Rilke: A Translation from the German and Commentary by Robert Bly. New York: Harper & Row, 1981. [archive.org]


Authors & Affiliations

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926), was an Austrian poet and novelist. [wikipedia.org]

 

Rainer Maria Rilke (18 September 1900) Unknown author; original in the wikimedia.org collection (CC0 – Public Domain, no changes).


Robert Elwood Bly (1926-2021) was an American poet, essayist. [wikipedia.org]


Commentary

The penultimate paragraph of the poem is a reference to the verses of the 32nd chapter of the Book of Genesis (Bereshit) 32:24-33:

24  And  he  took  them,  and  sent  them  over  the  stream,  and  sent  over  what  he  had.

25  And  Jacob  was  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.

27  And  he  said,  Let  me  go,  for  the  day  hath  dawned.  And  he  said,  I  will  not  let  thee  go  until  thou  hast  blessed  me.

28  And  he  said  unto  him.  What  is  thy  name  ?  and  he  said,  Jacob.

29  And  he  said,  Not  Jacob  shall  any  more  be  called  thy  name,  but  Israel ;  for  as  a  prince  hast  thou  power  with  God  and  with  men,  and  hast  prevailed.

30  And  Jacob  asked  him,  and  said.  Tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  thy  name.  And  he  said,  Wherefore  is  it  that  thou  dost  ask  after  my  name  ?   And  he  blessed  him  there.

31  And  Jacob  called  the  name  of  the  place  Peniёl :  for  I  have  seen  an  angel  of  God  face  to  face,  and  my  life  hath  been  preserved.

32  And  the  sun  rose  unto  him  as  he  passed  by  Penuёl,  and  he  halted  upon  his  thigh.

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.  (from 1922LeeserI)


Leeser I. The twenty-four books of the Holy Scriptures. Carefully translated according to the Massoretic text, on the basis of the English version after the best Jewish authorities and supplied with short explanatory notes by Isaac Leeser. New York: Bloch Pub. Co., 1922. [archive.org]


Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, mention, Bible, poetry


                                                                    

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


Imaginative Literature


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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...

Australopithecus afarensis

  AUSTRALOPITHECUS AFARENSIS In 1735, Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) placed humans as a species «Homo nosce te ipsum» in the order Anthropomorpha along with monkeys and sloths (1735LinneC). In a publication in 1758, the naturalist transferred humans to the order Primates (1758LinneC). Today, humans and chimpanzees are united in the tribe Hominini, as descended from a common ancestor (2001GrovesCP). It has been established that the chromosome that distinguishes humans from monkeys was formed before 4.5 Ma (2022PoszewieckaB_GambinA). The hominin subfamily Sahelanthropus tchadensis lived in the Republic of Chad (Central Africa) from 7.2±0.31 to 6.8±0.45 Ma (2008LebatardAE_BrunetM; 2012ReynoldsSC_GallagherA). Reconstruction of its musculoskeletal system showed that the creature could have been an upright bipedal primate (2005ZollikoferCP_BrunetM). Fossils of what is probably the first bipedal representative of the hominid family Orrorin tugenensis, lived 6.1-5.7 Ma and still retained adapta...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 5

  Short retelling of chapter 5 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian]  Chapter 5.  ADAM AND EVE The Book of Genesis narrates the story of a tribe founded by Adam and Eve, described as the "mother of all living." From a genetic perspective, they are depicted as siblings, with an age difference of 18–25 years. According to the biblical epic, they formed humanity’s first family, sustaining themselves on pre-existing fruits and seeds. Their initial home was the "garden in Eden," located "in the east" relative to the narrator. The text identifies geographic markers for Eden’s location: lands like "Asshur," "Cush," and "Havilah," and rivers named "Pishon," "Gihon," "Hiddekel," and "Phrath." The narrator also notes the region’s economic value, mentioning "gold," ...

Great Compilation. Introduction

  English version of the article:  Архипов СВ. Книга Берешит как великая компиляция текстов и смыслов Второго переходного периода Египта: пилотная культурологическая, медицинская, археологическая и текстологическая экспертиза преданий против традиционной атрибуции. Введение.  О круглой связке бедра . 14.02.2026 .  The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .    The Book of Genesis as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution . Introduction By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Content [iv]   External links [v]   Application [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Bereshith) was composed in Egypt during the 17th century BCE and reached ...

Tiktaalik roseae

  TIKTAALIK ROSEAE The first truly tetrapod animal (Limbed tetrapods) is recognized as the lobe-finned fish Tiktaalik roseae (clade Elpistostegalia), discovered in rocks aged about 375 Ma (2006DaeschlerEB_JenkinsJrFA; 2008ShubinN; 2017ShubinN). Discoveries in recent years have allowed us to place the taxa of early tetrapodomorphs in the following order: Tinirau, Eusthenopteron, Megalichthys, Panderichthys, Qikiqtania, Tiktaalik, Elpistostege, Parmastega, Ventastega, Acanthostega, Elginerpeton, Ymeria, Ichthyostega (2022StewartTA_ShubinNH). The closest ancestor of Tiktaalik roseae, the fragments of the skeleton of which are relatively well preserved, is Panderichthys. Reconstruction of the prehistoric fish Pandericthys Author Tyler Rhodes; original in the  wikipedia.org   collection (license CC BY-SA 3.0, no changes). The shape of the skeleton of the pectoral fin and shoulder girdle suggests that Panderichthys rhombolepis "walked" (2006AhlbergPE_ClackJA). At the very least...

Great Compilation. Chapter 38

  English version of the article:  Архипов СВ. Книга Берешит как великая компиляция текстов и смыслов Второго переходного периода Египта: пилотная культурологическая, медицинская, археологическая и текстологическая экспертиза преданий против традиционной атрибуции. Введение.  О круглой связке бедра . 14.02.2026 .  The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .    The Book of Genesis as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution.  Chapter 38   By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Book of Genesis. Chapter 38 Analysis [iii]   Notes to Chapter 38 [iv]   AI Agent's Conclusion [v]   Content [vi]   External links [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Bereshith) was compo...

Great Compilation. Chapter 1

     English version of the article:  Архипов СВ. Книга Берешит как великая компиляция текстов и смыслов Второго переходного периода Египта: пилотная культурологическая, медицинская, археологическая и текстологическая экспертиза преданий против традиционной атрибуции. Введение.  О круглой связке бедра . 14.02.2026 .  The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .    The Book of Genesis as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution. Chapter 1 By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Book of Genesis. Chapter 1 Analysis [iii]   Notes to Chapter 1 [iv]   AI Agent's Conclusion [v]   Content [vi]   External links [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Bereshith) was composed...

SURGERY

  SURGERY ( Osteotomy, arthroplasty, arthroscopy, ligamentoplasty... ) Inventions Method s  by Arkhipov S.V.   (subsection) Articles 1926HeyGrovesEH   The author proposes fixation of the femoral head by creating a LCF from the joint capsule during reduction of congenital hip dislocation.  1927HeyGrovesEH   The author  describes  fixation of the femoral head by creating a LCF from the joint capsule during reduction of congenital hip dislocation.  1968TrevorD  The author discusses E. Hey Groves's operation for reconstruction of the LCF in the reduction of congenital hip dislocation. 2021ArkhipovSV_SkvortsovDV   Ligamentum Teres and its Analog in the Hip Endoprosthesis–Necessary or Superfluous? A Systematic Review 2025ArkhipovSV. Why Acetabular Labrum Repair May Be Ineffective .  Article  (07.04.2025).  UNDERWATER  ROCK OF THE RECONSTRUCTIONS  What is the load on the  ligamentum capitis femoris ? The First...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 6

  Short retelling of chapter 6 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian]  Chapter 6. THE GARDEN OF EDEN According to the Book of Genesis, humanity’s earliest ancestors emerged "in the garden of Eden." The text specifies that this idyllic garden was located "in Eden, toward the east." A nameless river flowed from Eden, irrigating the garden, suggesting that "Eden" encompasses a broader region, while the "garden in Eden" is a distinct, cultivated space. Genesis portrays the garden as a divine plantation, established by "Lord God," with humans tasked to tend and maintain it. The garden teemed with diverse trees, including fruit-bearing ones, and later hosted birds, wild animals, and domesticated livestock. Alongside humans, it harbored supernatural beings like cherubim (kyruvy), a serpent, and other divine entities. A s...

Great Compilation. Chapter 48

  English version of the article:  Архипов СВ. Книга Берешит как великая компиляция текстов и смыслов Второго переходного периода Египта: пилотная культурологическая, медицинская, археологическая и текстологическая экспертиза преданий против традиционной атрибуции. Введение.  О круглой связке бедра . 14.02.2026 .  The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .    The Book of Genesis as a Great Compilation of Texts and Meanings from the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt: A Pilot Culturological, Medical, Archaeological, and Textological Examination of the Legends versus Traditional Attribution.  Chapter 48   By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Book of Genesis. Chapter 48 Analysis [iii]   Notes to Chapter 48 [iv]   AI Agent's Conclusion [v]   Content [vi]   External links [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract The Book of Genesis (Bereshith) was compo...