Femoral Neck Flashcards

Study the femoral neck, including its anatomical orientation, bony landmarks, hip joint relationships, blood supply, and clinical significance.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the femoral neck?

The narrowed portion of the proximal femur connecting the femoral head to the shaft.

In This Section

1. What is the femoral neck?

The narrowed portion of the proximal femur connecting the femoral head to the shaft.

2. In which direction does the femoral neck extend from the shaft?

Superiorly, medially, and slightly anteriorly.

3. What is the femoral neck-shaft angle?

The angle between the longitudinal axes of the femoral neck and shaft.

4. What is the approximate normal femoral neck-shaft angle in adults?

Approximately 125 degrees, with normal individual variation.

5. What is coxa vara?

A decreased femoral neck-shaft angle, generally less than 120 degrees.

6. What is coxa valga?

An increased femoral neck-shaft angle, commonly greater than 135 degrees.

7. What is femoral anteversion?

The anterior orientation of the femoral neck relative to the distal femoral condylar axis.

8. What is the approximate normal femoral anteversion angle in adults?

Approximately 10 to 15 degrees, with considerable anatomical variation.

9. Which bony structures mark the distal junction of the femoral neck?

The greater and lesser trochanters.

10. Which bony ridge marks the anterior intertrochanteric region?

The intertrochanteric line.

11. Which bony ridge marks the posterior intertrochanteric region?

The intertrochanteric crest.

12. Where does the fibrous hip joint capsule attach anteriorly on the proximal femur?

Along the intertrochanteric line.

13. How does the posterior attachment of the hip capsule relate to the femoral neck?

It attaches to the femoral neck proximal to the intertrochanteric crest.

14. Which artery provides the principal blood supply to the adult femoral head through vessels along the neck?

The medial circumflex femoral artery.

15. What are the retinacular arteries of the femoral neck?

Small vessels that travel along the femoral neck toward the femoral head within synovial folds.

16. Where do the important superior retinacular vessels travel along the femoral neck?

Along its posterosuperior surface.

17. Which artery contributes additional vessels to the anterior femoral neck?

The lateral circumflex femoral artery.

18. What is the principal mechanical role of the femoral neck?

To transmit forces between the femoral head and shaft while providing an offset for hip movement.

19. Why is the trabecular arrangement of the femoral neck important?

Trabecular groups help distribute compressive and tensile forces across the proximal femur.

20. What is Ward's triangle?

A relatively low-density region between major trabecular groups in the proximal femur.

21. What is the calcar femorale?

A dense internal plate of bone extending from the posteromedial femoral cortex into the proximal femur.

22. What is an intracapsular femoral neck fracture?

A fracture of the femoral neck occurring within the hip joint capsule.

23. What are the three commonly described anatomical locations of femoral neck fractures?

Subcapital, transcervical, and basicervical regions.

24. What is a subcapital femoral neck fracture?

A fracture immediately distal to the femoral head.

25. Why can displaced femoral neck fractures cause avascular necrosis?

They may interrupt the retinacular arterial supply to the femoral head.

26. Why are intracapsular femoral neck fractures associated with an increased risk of nonunion?

Disrupted blood supply and limited periosteal healing within the joint capsule can impair fracture repair.

27. What does the Garden classification assess?

The completeness and displacement of intracapsular femoral neck fractures.

28. What is a typical limb position after a displaced femoral neck fracture?

The affected lower limb is often shortened and externally rotated.