Description

Introduction

The Femoral Head is the most proximal portion of the femur and is supported by the femoral neck. It articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis. The femoral head is nearly spherical (two-thirds) but has a medial depression known as the fovea capitis femoris that serves as an attachment point for the ligamentum teres. This structure has clinical significance as there is a major concern for avascular necrosis to the femoral head associated with hip fractures and dislocations.

Structure and Function

This serves as the “ball” in the hip joint allowing for a high degree of motion in the hip. It is covered by articular cartilage and articulates with the lunate surface of the acetabulum. Along with the proximal femur, comprises several trabecular orientations of bone that are strong enough to support the rest of the body. The architecture of this bone is formed by Wolff’s law . The primary compressive group is vertically oriented trabeculae from the superior  to the medial neck. The primary tensile group runs from the inferior femoral to the lateral cortex. The secondary compressive group is oriented along the lines of stress in the proximal femur. The secondary tensile group is oriented along the lines of stress in the lateral proximal femur. The greater trochanteric group is oriented along the lines of stress within the greater trochanter. There is also an area within these trabecular patterns that has relatively few trabecular known as Ward’s triangle. This is not to be confused with Babcock’s triangle which is a radiolucent region of the subcapital region that is a common site for tuberculosis of the hip joint to occur