The intertrochanteric line (or ''spiral line of the femur''
[White (2005), p 256] ) is a line located on the anterior side of the proximal end of the
femur
The femur (; ), or thigh bone, is the proximal bone of the hindlimb in tetrapod vertebrates. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone forming the hip joint, while the distal part of the femur articulates ...
.
Structure
The rough, variable ridge stretches between the
lesser trochanter
The lesser trochanter is a conical posteromedial bony projection of the femoral shaft. it serves as the principal insertion site of the iliopsoas muscle.
Structure
The lesser trochanter is a conical posteromedial projection of the shaft of the fe ...
and the
greater trochanter forming the base of the
neck of the femur, roughly following the direction of the
shaft of the femur. The
iliofemoral ligament — the largest ligament of the human body — attaches above the line which also strengthens the
capsule of the hip joint.
The lower half, less prominent than the upper half, gives origin to the upper part of the
Vastus medialis
The vastus medialis (vastus internus or teardrop muscle) is an extensor muscle located medially in the thigh that extends the knee. The vastus medialis is part of the quadriceps muscle group.
Structure
The vastus medialis is a muscle present ...
.
Just like the
intertrochanteric crest on the posterior side of the femoral head, the intertrochanteric line marks the transition between the femoral neck and shaft.
[Platzer (2004), p 192]
The distal capsular attachment on the femur follows the shape of the irregular rim between the head and the neck. As a consequence, the
capsule of the hip joint attaches in the region of the intertrochanteric line on the anterior side, but a finger away from the
intertrochanteric crest on the posterior side of the head.
[Platzer (2004), pp 192, 198]
The fibers of the
ischiocapsular ligament
The ischiofemoral ligament (ischiocapsular ligament, ischiocapsular band) consists of a triangular band of strong fibers on the posterior side of the hip joint. Its fibers span from the ischium at a point below and behind the acetabulum to blend wi ...
attach both into the joint capsule and onto the intertrochanteric line.
Clinical significance
Intertrochantric fractures
This area of the femur being an important pillar for weight bearing through the skeletal system is subject to comparatively high levels of dynamic stress, pathological strain, physiological strain and trauma. This area is prone to fractures due to high velocity trauma in the young and trivial trauma in the elderly. The fractures in this line are called intertrochantric fractures and are classified as per the pattern of the fracture geometry.
After a fracture this area of bone is notorious for uniting in varying, and sometimes problematic angles. Therefore, it typically requires early surgical reduction and fixation with early mobilization and weight bearing in order to facilitate enhanced recovery.
References
Bibliography
* (ISBN for the Americas 1-58890-159-9.)
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External links
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{{Authority control
Bones of the lower limb
Femur