The Visible Human: Transverse Section Through the Thigh

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The femur is the 'long bone' of the thigh. Many muscles attach near the end of that inserts into the hip socket (greater trochanter). The head of the femur is covered with smooth cartilage to allow for frictionless movement within the joint. The distal end of the femur forms the medial and lateral condyles that associate with the kneecap, or patella. The condyles can be felt by bending the knee and pressing a little above your knee on either side. The 'lumps' are the condyles.

The femur has a hollow interior. This region contains fat and bone marrow. Blood cells including erythrocytes (red blood cells) and white blood cells develop in the marrow. Once developed they enter the blood to carry oxygen or help protect the body against infection.

Key points in this image
adductor magnus | gracilis | sartorius | rectus femoris | hamstring | vastus lateralis | vastus medialis | vastus intermedius |
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Information
Module Name: a_vm2035
Module Title: The Visible Human: Transverse Section Through the Thigh
Image Info: Transverse section through the leg (#2035), Visible Human Project
Created by: Lynn Bry
Contact Email:bryl@medicine.wustl.edu
Last modified: January 16th, 1997
Created with Annotation 1.0