Ligament of Head of Femur

Ligament Of Head Of Femur

In human anatomy, the ligament of the head of the femur (Latin: ligamentum capitis femoris'), or the round ligament of the femur (Latin: ligamentum teres femoris'), commonly referred to as the ligamentum teres, is a triangular, somewhat flattened band implanted by its apex into the antero-superior part of the fovea capitis femoris; its base is attached by two bands, one into either side of the acetabular notch, and between these bony attachments it blends with the transverse ligament.

It is ensheathed by the synovial membrane, and varies greatly in strength in different subjects; occasionally only the synovial fold exists, and in rare cases even this is absent.

The ligament is made tense when the thigh is semiflexed and the limb then abducted or rotated outward; it is, on the other hand, relaxed when the limb is adducted.

Research suggests it contributes little influence as a ligament past childhood, although it may still be important in transmitting arterial supply to the head. The ligament gives the femur a stabilizing strength which, as in the orangutan, some animals lack.

The ligament of the head of the femur contains within it the acetabular branch of medial circumflex femoral.