Preferred Label : head of femur;
Uberon definition : The hemispheric articular surface at the upper extremity of the thigh bone[Stedman,
26th ed]. The femur head is the highest part of the thigh bone. It is supported by
the neck of the femur. The head is globular and forms rather more than a hemisphere,
is directed upward, medialward, and a little forward, the greater part of its convexity
being above and in front. Its surface is smooth, coated with cartilage in the fresh
state, except over an ovoid depression, the fovea capitis femoris, which is situated
a little below and behind the center of the head, and gives attachment to the ligament
of head of femur. If there is a fracture of the neck of the femur, the blood supply
through the ligament becomes crucial. In orthopedic surgery, the head of the femur
is important because it can undergo avascular necrosis and consequent osteochondritis
dissecans. The head is removed in total hip replacement surgery [WP].;
Uberon synonym : acetabular head; femoral head;
Uberon related term : femur head; capital femoral epiphysis;
Origin ID : 0006767;
UMLS CUI : C0015813;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
Semantic type(s)
UMLS correspondences (same concept)
Uberon cross reference
adjacent to
has part
part of
The hemispheric articular surface at the upper extremity of the thigh bone[Stedman,
26th ed]. The femur head is the highest part of the thigh bone. It is supported by
the neck of the femur. The head is globular and forms rather more than a hemisphere,
is directed upward, medialward, and a little forward, the greater part of its convexity
being above and in front. Its surface is smooth, coated with cartilage in the fresh
state, except over an ovoid depression, the fovea capitis femoris, which is situated
a little below and behind the center of the head, and gives attachment to the ligament
of head of femur. If there is a fracture of the neck of the femur, the blood supply
through the ligament becomes crucial. In orthopedic surgery, the head of the femur
is important because it can undergo avascular necrosis and consequent osteochondritis
dissecans. The head is removed in total hip replacement surgery [WP].