This is a study book for people learning osteology or anatomy. It features all the bones of the post-cranial skeleton, improving on some previous books with more detailed images of the bones of the feet. Each bone has their common features labelle...
The Femur is the bone that makes up the human upper leg. It is the largest and longest bone. It articulate with the acetabulum of the Os Coxa. Like the humerus, this is a synovial joint and that synovium can be torn through dislocation. It also articulates in a hinge joint with the Tibia and the Patella (kneecap). The Femur is very useful in determining age in juveniles. It's head is one of the hardest bone parts in the body, but, unlike the Humerus, which lacks a neck, the Femur has a neck which is susceptible to breakage. Femurs may become bowed from genetics, by birth, or through repetitive activity like horseback riding or frequent squatting. Femurs are most often used to determine stature.
Key Vocabulary: Linea Aspera - literally Rough Line, it attaches to muscle Condyle/Epicondyle - protuberance where another bone articulates
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Key Measurements: Maximum Lenth - using an ostemetric board, measures from the top of the head to the bottom of the most inferior distal condyle
Bicondylar/Oblique/Physiological Length - using an osteometric board, place both condyles flat upon one side of the board and measure from the head to the flat edge of the condyles
Anterior-Posterior Diameter of the Midshaft - locate the midpoint of the shaft and measure the diameter from front to back (anterior to posterior)
Medio-Lateral Diameter of the Midshaft - locate the midpoint of the shaft and measure the diameter from side to side (medial to lateral). The Linea Aspera should be about midway between the two sides
Maximum Diameter of the Head - Measure from the top and bottom of the head
Circumference of the Midshaft - at the midpoint of the shaft, measure the circuference with measuring tape or string. Make sure to follow along the surface of the bone entirely as the tape may try to tent over the Linnea Aspera
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Key Equations:
Robusticity Index - expresses the relative size of the shaft relative to the length of the bone
Stature Estimation Equations: When doing stature, it is best to do a Group Affiliation Evaluation to make sure to use the best equation. For this equation use Maximum Length of the Femur in Centimeters where it says Femur.
*Mongoloid Female Equations from South East Asian populations Gocha et al. Formulae for Estimating Skeletal Height in Modern South-East Asians.(2013) https://cps.unileoben.ac.at/wp/Stature-Estimation-in-Modern-South-East-Asians.pdf
