Blumensaat's line is a line which corresponds to the roof of the
intercondylar fossa of femur
The intercondylar fossa of femur (intercondyloid fossa of femur, intercondylar notch of femur) is a deep notch between the rear surfaces of the medial and lateral epicondyle of the femur, two protrusions on the distal end of the femur (thigh bon ...
as seen on a
lateral
Lateral is a geometric term of location which may also refer to:
Biology and healthcare
* Lateral (anatomy), a term of location meaning "towards the side"
* Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, an intrinsic muscle of the larynx
* Lateral release ( ...
radiograph
Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical ("diagnostic" radiography and "therapeu ...
of the
knee joint
In humans and other primates, the knee joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two joints: one between the femur and tibia (tibiofemoral joint), and one between the femur and patella (patellofemoral joint). It is the largest joint in the ...
. The angle at which this line appears on the radiograph can be used to determine the position of the patella or diagnose an ACL injury.
Clinical Use
On a normal radiograph, the line intersects the
inferior pole of the
patella
The patella (: patellae or patellas), also known as the kneecap, is a flat, rounded triangular bone which articulates with the femur (thigh bone) and covers and protects the anterior articular surface of the knee joint. The patella is found in m ...
, and so can be useful in diagnosing a broken femur as well as a
patellar tendon rupture.
It also helps to define "Schottle point" intra-operatively for reconstruction of MPFL(Medial patello-femoral ligament.)
It may also be used to describe the course of an ACL graft.
References
Musculoskeletal radiographic signs
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