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J. Anat., Lond. (1963), 97, 3, pp.

393-402 393
With 2 plates
Printed in Great Britain

Facets and imprints on the upper and lower extremities of


femora from a Western Nigerian population
BY E. L. KOSTICK
Department of Anatomy, University College, Ibadan, Nigeria*

Bony facets and imprints, particularly of the femur, have been described by many
authors. Their incidence in various races has been recorded by Charles (1893),
Parsons (1914), Walmsley (1915), Pearson & Bell (1919), Meyer (1924 a), and others.
Recently, Schofield (1959) describes them in the Maori femur. Most of these
authors have used exhumed material, for which accurate records are rarely available.
The state of preservation of exhumed material varies greatly, and if only a part of
the skeleton is available sexing and ageing may be difficult or impossible. It is
unsuitable material on which to base observations concerning, for example, precise
bone markings, structure and texture. Dodgers (1931) has used fresh material of
known age and sex. Fresh material allows observation of the cartilage coated
articular surfaces, but not of the underlying bone.
For the purpose of this study specially prepared bones (series A) were used. They
provided a standard of uniform osteological quality and served as a control for the
study of the exhumed material (series I.D.H.), in which bone preservation varied
greatly.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Observations have been recorded on two series comprising in all 738 adult
femora: series A from specially prepared skeletons and series I.D.H. from exhumed
skeletons. All the material is in the skeletal museum, University College, Ibadan,
Nigeria.
Series A (Table 1). This consists of the femora from complete skeletons, prepared
from fresh undissected material in the department. The preparation is carried out
in four stages:
(1) Initial stripping. The entire skeleton is stripped of all soft material. Dis-
articulations are effected at occipito-atlantal, lumbo-sacral, hip, knee, ankle, tibio-
fibular, sterno-clavicular, shoulder, elbow, wrist, radio-ulnar, and temporo-
mandibular, joints. The parts are then placed in tap water in special containers.
Maceration is allowed to proceed for 1 week at 105° F.
(2) Fine stripping. After maceration, the containers are emptied, with suitable
precautions to prevent loss of teeth, terminal phalanges, etc., and the bones are
fine stripped of all maceration resistant material, chiefly collagenous.
(3) Boiling. After fine stripping the bones are boiled in soap and water for 1 hr.,
following which they are dried and bleached in the sun.
(4) Immersion in 95 % alcohol degreasingg). They are then immersed in 95 %
* Present address: University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
26 Anat. 97
394 E. L. KOSTICK
'industrial spirit' for 48 hr., again dried and bleached in the sun. The procedure is
repeated, this time immersing the bones in alcohol for only 24 hr.
This process gives clean dry bones. They sometimes retain their articular cartilage
(P1. 1, fig. 4). The teeth are replaced in their appropriate sockets.
Number, sex, tribe, and age are recorded. Some of the subjects have hospital
records. Unfortunately, the stated age is unreliable, since registration of births is
not compulsory. An attempt is made to confirm and estimate the age, by noting:
(1) the appearance of the body prior to maceration; (2) the degree of ossification
and epiphyseal fusion; (3) the state of eruption and attrition of the teeth. In
Nigerians, the molars usually erupt before 21 years (commonly 16-17 years).
Marked attrition may be present as early as 30 years. Thus it is only possible to
give an approximate estimated age; they were mainly young adult. In 143 'stated'
ages the average was 35-13 years (S.D. 8.56).

Table 1. Tribe, sex and side of the femora in Series A


Male Female Male and Female
Tribe Left Right Left Right Left Right
Yoruba 115 115 59 59 174 174
Hausa 22 22 22 22
Ibo 7 7 3 3 10 10
Benin 5 5 3 3 8 8
Calabar 2 2 - 2 2
Unknown 58 58 8 8 66 66
Total femora 209 209 73 73 282 282

In series A observations have been made on 209 pairs of male and 73 pairs of
female femora, giving a total of 564 femora.
Series I.D.H. This consists of the femora from skeletons, exhumed from the
cemetery of the old Infectious Diseases Hospital, Ibadan, which was excavated to
make way for the present University College Hospital. A cemetery plan has been
available but there are no records of age, tribe or sex. The material has been sexed
from accepted typical sex characters of innominate bone, skull, sternum and limb
bones. Since most parts of the skeleton are present, a reasonable assessment of sex
has been possible. Like series A, series I.D.H. is estimated to be mostly early adult,
below 40 years of age.
In series I.D.H. observations have been made on 15 left and 15 right female
femora, and 73 left and 71 right male femora giving a total of 174. In addition to
series A and I.D.H. a collection of 238 foetal and young skeletons has been examined.
Fresh knee and hip joints have been dissected and observed. Use has also been
made of dissecting room material.
TERMINOLOGY
The articular lamella is cortical bone which underlies the articular cartilage
(Johnston, Davies & Davies, 1958).
Facets and imprints of femora 395
OBSERVATIONS
(1) Facets and imprints at the upper end of the femur
Poirier's facet (PI. 1, figs. 1, 3-5). This is a facet produced by an extension of the
articular surface of the head on to the anterior surface of the neck. Sometimes a
ridge, known as the cervical eminence, runs from the femoral tubercle (superior
cervical tubercle), along the antero-superior aspect of the neck, to the head. When
it extends on to the medial end of the ridge the facet is prominent (see Testut, 1904).
If the ridge is absent Poirier's facet is likely to be lacking also.
In some specimens in series A it is obvious that articular cartilage extends on to
the facet. The presence of cartilage is often taken as a prerequisite for a Poirier's
facet but this is not the original description (Poirier, 1911; Odgers, 1931; Schofield,
1959). In conformity with these and other authors a continuity of the articular
lamella on to the neck is taken as acceptable evidence of a Poirier's facet. It may
also occur with an imprint as shown in PI. 1, figs. 3 and 5.
Anterior cervical imprint (PI. 1, figs. 2, 5). This occurs on the anterior and inferior
aspects of the medial part of the neck, adjacent to the head. It is also known as the
fossa of Allen, the imprint of Berteaux, and sometimes again ascribed to Poirier.
For the present study, it has been convenient to divide these imprints into two types,
A and B. A somewhat similar division is given by Pearson & Bell (1919). Odgers
(1931) differentiates three types: depressions, slight erosions, marked erosions.
Type A. This is an ulcer-like excavation, exhibiting a floor and edges. In some
cases it has a clean punched-out appearance, with sharp edges and a depressed
floor; in others it is more irregular. The distal edge, that is the edge of the imprint
away from the femoral head, may be more prominent, making a transverse ridge
more or less parallel to the trochanteric line. This is Walmsley's (1915) capsular
ridge (P1. 1, fig. 2). The ridge divides the neck into a medial and a lateral portion,
each with a bony surface of differing texture. Meyer (1924a) describes the ridge
as being congruent with the bony acetabular rim, since it resembles this in shape.
When the dry bones are articulated the ridge acts like a 'door-stop'.
The floor of the imprint may show various bony appearances: (1) trabeculated,
(2) finely honeycombed like cancellous bone, (3) very smooth, and (4) very rarely
hypertrophic usually in association with a periarticular osteoarthritis. The above
features are also present on exhumed material and are not the result of violent
maceration.
Type B (P1. 1, fig. 3). This is a pleomorphic type, presenting as a discontinuity in
the normal bony appearance of the neck, and unlike type A it is not definitely
circumscribed. It may show a 'moth-eaten' or worn cancellous appearance, as
though the cortical bone had been gradually erased. This seems to occur only in
young bones, 14-22 years, when epiphyseal union is present. It is situated on the
antero-inferior aspect of the neck adjacent to the epiphyseal margin. When a large
series of bones are examined one is left with the impression that this teenage
imprint is a precursor of the ulcer type. This would agree with Odgers's (1931)
observation that the imprint deepens with age.
Posterior cervical (acetabular) imprint (PI. 1, fig. 6). This has been noted par-
ticularly by Walmsley (1915), as a facet resembling Poirier's, occurring on the
26.2
396 E. L. KoSTICK
posterior aspect of the neck. It may be limited laterally by a tubercle which sometimes
borders the medial edge of the shallow groove for the obturator externus tendon.
Other facets and imprints. Schofield (1959) describes, in the Maori femur, a
crescentic depression surrounding the antero-superior margin of the fovea. This
perifoveal depression had been observed on a number of bones. When well marked
it is C-shaped, the arc of the C on a radius about 1-3 cm. from the centre of the
fovea. The open part of the C points towards the lesser trochanter. The fovea,
almost always oval, has an everted lower lip like a lightly marginated spout, the
tip of which also points to the lesser trochanter. It appears that the C-shaped
depression is due to an unduly prominent margin of the acetabular fossa. However,
Little, Pimm & Trueta (1958) show the inside of the C as the non-weight-bearing
cartilage. In this respect it is interesting to observe that the articular lamella in
the floor of the depression is thin and often shows fine perforations.
The eversion of the foveal margin is due to the ligamentum teres as it ascends
vertically into the fovea. This eversion was present in foetal and young material.
In the 5-month foetus or younger the fovea is a notch in the postero-inferior margin
of the head.
(2) Facets and imprints on the lower end of the femur
Charles's facet (PI. 2, fig. 7). This is a smooth facet above and behind the medial
epicondyle and extending to the adductor tubercle. Pearson & Bell (1919) have had
difficulty in defining it and exclude it from their series. In the present series the
designation of Charles's facet was limited to a facet on the lower epiphysis (P1. 2,
fig. 7), bounded above and laterally by the epiphyseal line. It may continue on to
the neighbouring shaft; its cartilage is continuous with the articular cartilage of the
condyle and that of the tibial imprint described below.
The facet is for that part of the gastrocnemius bursa which usually communicates
with the joint with further extension into the overlying bursa of the semimem-
branosus. Frazer (1948) shows the area as part of the origin of the medial head of
the gastrocnemius. The presence of cartilage would suggest a bursa rather than a
muscle origin. However, in young and foetal bones, the site of Charles's facet gave
origin to part of the medial head of the gastrocnemius. This would suggest that the
gastrocnemius is forced on to the capsule and neighbouring shaft by the growing
bursa (but see Wood Jones, 1944).
Tibial imprint (P1. 2, figs. 7, 9, 13). This is on the posterior aspect of the lower
extremity of the femoral diaphysis, usually most marked above the medial condyle.
More rarely it occurs above the lateral condyle. Above the medial condyle it
borders on Charles's facet and their cartilages may be continuous, as described
above. It usually presents as a depressed 'thumb-print' impression unlike the
'punched-out' cervical imprint.
Occasionally there is another 'thumb-print' impression in the tuberculated
roughness for the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Its causation is puzzling; it
could be due to a contained fabella forced against the popliteal surface in an acutely
flexed knee joint. This is suggested despite the fact that fabellae are twice as com-
mon on the lateral side, and, in the fully ossified form, nine times more common on
the lateral than the medial side.
Facets and imprints offemora 397
Osteochondritic imprint (P1. 2, figs. 7, 13). At this point it is convenient to record
a remarkable feature in series A. The upper posterior part of the lateral condyle of
certain femora shows either a hole or plaque-like bony excrescence. Sometimes it is
of pin-hole size, at other times it is a cavity filled with bony debris and floored with
sclerotic bone. The articular lamella is always primarily affected. The cartilage is
usually flattened or worn at the site; this is best seen in the fresh specimen. The
femoral condyle is often facetted or flattened at the site of the lesion. It is usually
bilateral, occasionally occurring with a similar lesion on the posterior part of the
medial condyle. The lesion occurs at the place of contact between the tibial and
femoral condyles in the acutely flexed knee joint. Such flexion normally occurs in
the squatting position. It is suggested that this is an osteochondritis dessicans of
the adult type (Smillie, 1960) (see PI. 2, fig. 7). This is a hitherto undescribed site for
osteochondritis dessicans in the knee joint in current literature. Its incidence is
given in Tables 3 and 4. Further description and the consideration of its aetiology
are beyond the scope of this paper.
Martin'sfacet (P1. 2, fig. 10). This is a crescentic facet formed by extension of the
trochlear surface on to the lateral aspect of the lateral condyle, sometimes giving
the lateral trochlear margin a bevelled appearance. It is present in varying degree
in nearly all the femora.

Table 2. Approximate percentage incidence of anterior acetabular imprints


and Poirier's facet
Series A Series I.D.H.
A A

L. R. L. and R. L. R. L. and R.
Type A or B Male 29 29 29 59 56 57
ant. cervical Female 45 45 45 50 53 52
imprint Male and female 33 33 33 58 55 56
Ulcer. Male 12 10 11 33 30 32
Type A Female 20 22 21 29 33 30
imprint Male and female 14 13 14 33 30 32
Pleomorphic. Male 17 19 18 25 25 25
Type B Female 25 23 24 21 20 20
imprint Male and female 19 20 20 25 25 25
Poirier's Male 57 55 56 71 76 72
facet Female 38 38 38 46 58 52
Male and female 52 51 51 67 73 70

Supratrochlear facet and imprint (PI. 2, fig. 11). The facet is produced by the
extension of the superior margin of the lateral trochlear surface on to the neighbour-
ing shaft. It is at or just above the point of maximum anterior projection of the
lateral condyle. Instead of a facet an imprint or tuberosity may be present. When
the imprint is marked, it conforms somewhat to the suprapatellar imprint or fossa
described by Meyer (1924b) (P1. 2, fig. 11). It is almost always bilateral, occurring
at the site at which an osteochondritic lesion may be expected.
Peritrochlear groove (PI. 2, fig. 8). Sometimes the medial trochlear margin is
raised, forming the edge of a gutter-like groove, in which run periarticular vessels.
398 E. L. KOSTICK
It becomes deeper and almost converted into a tunnel in a periarticular osteo-
arthritis. It extends from the supratrochlear area (often depressed) to a notch
usually present which demarcates the trochlea from the condylar surface (PI. 2,
fig. 8).

Table 3. Data and approximate percentage of femora with an osteochondritic


imprint in series A
Female Male Male and female
L. R. L. L. R. L. L. R. L.
and R. and R. and R.
Total femora 73 73 146 209 209 418 282 282 564
Osteochondritic imprint 20 23 43 48 52 100 68 75 143
Approximate percentage 27 31 29 23 25 24 24 27 25

Table 4. Data of femora in series A and I.D.H.


Series A Series I.D.H.
A
A
K
A, A

Female Male Female Male


L. R. L. L. R. L. L. R. L. L. R. L.
and R. and R. and R. and R.
Total femora ... 73 73 146 209 209 418 15 15 30 73 71 144
Poirier's Facet 28 28 56 119 115 234 6 7 13 48 48 96
*D 2 3 5 5 8 13
Types A or B cervical imprints 33 33 66 61 60 121 7 8 15 42 39 81
D 1 1 2 1 3
Ulcer type A imprint 15 16 31 26 21 47 4 5 9 24 21 45
D 1 1 2 1 3
Pleomorphic type B imprint 18 17 35 35 39 74 3 3 6 18 18 36
D 1 - 1 2 1 3
Poirier's facet or imprints 52 54 106 177 172 349 9 9 18 64 61 125
D 1 1 2 4 8 12
Post. acetabular imprint 9 9 18 18 20 38 1 5 6 8 10 18
D
Martin's lat. cond. facet 53 49 102 172 170 342 9 9 18 58 56 114
D 4 8 7 9 12 21
Tibial imprint 36 39 75 77 69 146 6 6 12 23 23 46
D 1 1 2 - -
Trochlear 'gutter' 9 9 18 21 27 48 Nil Nil Nil 9 9 18
D 7 7 14 18 17 35
Supra-trochlear facet 25 28 53 68 70 138 3 4 7 30 32 62
D 7 7 14 18 17 35
* D means determination was impossible. Thus out of 15 left female femora determination was impossible in
two. Percentage incidence as given in the text in these cases was calculated by subtracting the number of
indeterminable bones. For example, the percentage calculation for this example based on 6/13 left femora was
46% approximately.
Facets and imprints of femora 399
(3) Incidence offacets and imprints
Detailed data for the features described are given in Table 4. The percentage
incidence of the cervical imprints and facet are given in Table 2. Poirier's facet is
more common in the male. The cervical imprints are more common in the female.
The crescentic perifoveal depression is well marked in only two pairs of femora in
series A, but is present to a lesser degree in 22 femora. In series I.D.H. it occurs in
only eight cases.
The tibial imprint occurs more often in the female (51 %) than male (35 %) in
series A, there being no significant difference on the right and left sides. Charles's
facet occurs in almost all the femora.
The osteochondritic imprint (Table 3) is more common in the female. This is not
the usual sex ratio (Aegerter & Kirkpatrick, 1958). In ten bones it is present on
both medial and lateral condyles, only in one bone (left) does it occur on the medial
condyle alone, but its right partner has imprints on both condyles. Five cases only
occurred in series I.D.H.
Martin's lateral condylar facet is slightly more common in the male, 82 %, than
female, 71 %, there being no significant difference on the two sides.
In conclusion, facets are more common in the male, imprints more common in the
female. Series I.D.H. shows a greater incidence of facets and imprints. It should
be pointed out that the percentages calculated for the female in series I.D.H. are
based on only 30 bones, not all of which are suitable for the precise study of bone
markings (Table 4).
DISCUSSION
These investigations show that: (1) the sequelae of squatting in the form of bone
changes (facets and imprints) are more evident at the lower than at the upper end
of the femur; (2) it is difficult to accept that imprints particularly of the neck are
due to postural factors. It is pointed out that, though most of the subjects were
hospital cases, the bones themselves were normal.
Facets and imprints at the upper end of the femur
In extension of the hip joint the medial end of the cervical eminence which is the
site of Poirier's facet rubs against the capsule, especially the taut ilio-femoral
ligament. Extension of the hip joint is said to be greater in the male than the
female (Frazer, 1948). Poirier's facet occurs more often in the male than female in
most series (Odgers, 1931). This is true of series A and I.D.H. Squatting involves
flexion of the hip joint. If it results from extension of the hip joint, Poirier's facet
cannot be classed as a squatting facet (Pearson & Bell, 1919).
The Nigerian commonly sits with knees flexed on a very low stool the seat of
which is 6 inches above the ground. The standard chair seat is 18 inches high, but
even when this is available the squatting stool is often preferred. It seems reason-
able to assume that most of the subjects in the present series adopted such a squat-
ting attitude. If imprints (type A and B) on the femoral neck are due to squatting
one would expect to find a higher incidence in the squatting races: but, the incidence
in series A was no higher than that in the non-squatting races.
400 E. L. KOSTICK
A satisfactory explanation is thus required to account for the anterior cervical
imprint in squatting and non-squatting races. Its occurrence is difficult to correlate
with other postural factors in addition to squatting (Pearson & Bell, 1919; Meyer,
1924a). Tension in the capsule varies with the position of the joint. The pull of
the capsule is presumed to produce a local bone reaction, such as Walmsley's
capsular ridge. The arrangement of the fibres in the hip joint capsule is such
that maximum tension exists in extreme flexion and extension (Meyer, 1934).
Hence Odgers' (1931) suggestion that the cervical imprint and Poirier's facet are
due respectively to: (1) the spiral twist and full screw home of the circular fibres
of the zona orbicularis; and (2) tension in the ilio-femoral ligament occurring on
extension of the hip joint. If the cervical imprint is due to capsular pull, then it
may occur as a result of extension (as in walking or in standing) or of flexion (as in
squatting) of the hip joint and also may account for its occurrence in non-squatting
and squatting races.
Comparison of incidence of the cervical imprints with that of other investigators
is difficult owing to subjective factors and differences in material studied (see
Meyer, 1934). Odgers (1931) used fresh material in which cartilage extension and
capsular relations are obvious, and found that Poirier's facet and cervical imprint
are usually combined. But in the dry bones of series A and I.D.H. this is not the
case (see Meyer, 1924 a). Only 58 femora in series A have a Poirier's facet in com-
bination with a cervical imprint. In series A, imprints are more common in the
female. It is emphasized that series A is well prepared material, clean dry bone;
Odgers's erosions involved soft tissue.
Facets and imprints at the lower end of the femur
The tibial imprint may be due to contact with the lateral part of the posterior
border of the medial tibial condyle and this part of the condyle often presents as a
prominence or tubercle (tuberculum tendonis P1. 2, fig. 14) (Cave & Porteous,
1958 a). On acute flexion this tubercle is driven into the imprint. Deep imprints are
associated with prominent tubercles. It appears that the posterior border of the
medial condyle is reciprocally grooved (P1. 2, fig. 14) by the medial margin of the
imprint. On dissection, however, it is evident that this vertical groove, when
present, is caused by the tendon of the semimembranosus just proximal to its
insertion into the groove for the semimembranosus and the tuberculum tendonis
(Cave & Porteous, 1958 b). P1. 2, fig. 14, shows the vertical groove and tubercle. The
imprint may be the result of pressure by this tubercle in acute flexion of the knee
joint. Such flexion occurs in the squatting position. The incidence is higher in the
female, many of whom adopt the squatting attitude for long periods-buttocks on
the heels, knees apart-as a resting posture.
The habit of squatting may be an explanation for the high incidence of Martin's
lateral condylar facet. It has been suggested that the facet is due to the quadriceps
tendon particularly that of the vastus lateralis as it glides over the lateral condylar
surface especially in full flexion of the knee joint. Frazer (1948) holds that this
explanation is hardly justifiable because of the irregular occurrence of the facet.
This may be true of English bones, but 80 % of series A have a lateral condylar
facet. Thus Martin's (1932) original observations are supported by this investigation.
Facets and imprints of femora 401
The patella tends to be displaced laterally in movements of the knee joint.
Habitual dislocation is a well-known clinical condition especially in the young
female. The tendency for lateral displacement is normally counteracted by the
angulation of the lateral trochlear surface of the femur. It is likely that the supra-
trochlear imprint or tuberosity is a bony reaction to the pressure exerted by the
patella due to the lateral displacement mentioned.
In conclusion the discrepancies between series A and series I.D.H. should be
noted. The final result in series I.D.H. is affected by poor preservation of the
material so that precise bone marking is impossible.
SUMMARY
1. Observations of facets and imprints have been recorded on 738 femora,
mainly of the Yoruba people, of which 564 were specially prepared material, the
other 174 femora being exhumed material.
2. Various facets and imprints are described and their incidence recorded. A
frequently occurring osteochondritic imprint on the lateral condyle was noted.
3. Postural factors are discussed, and are difficult to correlate with the imprints
at the upper end of the femur. Squatting is unimportant in this respect, there being
no greater incidence of cervical (acetabular) imprints than in non-squatting races.
4. The results of squatting are more evident at the lower end. Tibial imprints
are often present, and there is a high incidence of Martin's lateral condylar facet.

I am grateful and indebted to Prof. Alastair G. Smith, for the use of his material
and guidance. I would also like to thank Mr D. G. Stuart, F.I.M.L.T., for his
patient help with the photographs.
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W. B. Saunders Co.
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Lond., 92, 638.
CAVE, A. J. E. & PoRTEous, C. J. (1958 b). A note on the semimembranosus muscle. Ann. R. Coll.
Surg. Engl. 24, 251-256.
CHARLES, R. H. (1893). The influence of function as exemplified in the lower extremity of the
Panjabi. J. Anat., Lond., 28, 1-18.
FRAZER, J. E. (1948). The Anatomy of the Human Skeleton. London: J. and A. Churchill Ltd.
JOHNSTON. T. B., DAVIES, D. V. & DAVIES, F. (1958). In Gray's Anatomy, 32nd edition. London:
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study. J. Bone. Jt. Surg. 40B, 123-131.
MARTIN, C. P. (1932). Some variations of the lower end of the femur which are especially prevalent
in the bones of primitive people. J. Anat., Lond., 66, 352-362.
MEYER, A. W. (1924a). The 'Cervical Fossa' of Allen. Amer. J. Phys. Anthrop. 7, 257-269.
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ODGERS, P. N. B. (1931). Two details of the neck of the femur: (1) the eminentia, (2) the empreinte.
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EXPLANATION OF PLATES
PLATE 1
Fig. 1. Right femur. Upper end, anterior aspect. Tip of pointer A in a Poirier's facet.
Fig. 2. Left femur. Upper end, anterior aspect. Pointer A shows the 'Ridge' bounding the
extensive imprint as marked by B.
Fig. 8. Right femur. Upper end, anterior aspect. A shows a Poirier's facet in addition to the
'teen-age' imprint shown by B. Note the epiphyseal line of the trochanter.
Fig. 4. Left femur. Upper end, anterior aspect. Note cartilage is still on the head. A small tag
above and in front of pointer A extends into the facet.
Fig. 5. Right femur. Upper end, anterior aspect. Poirier's facet shown by A, coexisting with an
ulcer-type imprint indicated by B.
Fig. 6. Right femur. Upper end, posterior aspect. A shows a posterior facet (of Walmsley). The
greater trochanter is broken above its fossa.

PLATE 2
Fig. 7. Left femur. Lower end. Posterior aspect. A shows a lateral tibial imprint, B a medial
tibial imprint, C shows a typical osteochondritic imprint on the lateral condyle at the squatting
site. A Charles's facet is also shown at D.
Fig. 8. Left femur. Lower end. Oblique medial aspect. The pointer A lies along a peritrochlear
groove.
Fig. 9. Left femur. Lower end. Pointer A shows a thumb-print type of tibial imprint above the
medial condyle.
Fig. 10. Right femur. Lower end. Lateral aspect. Pointer A shows a Martin's facet.
Fig. 11. Right femur. Lower end. Anterior aspect. A supra-trochlear fossa or imprint is shown
by pointer A.
Fig. 12. Left femur. Lower end. Anterior aspect. Pointer A shows upper lateral trochlear margin
extending on to the shaft.
Fig. 13. Right femur. Lower end. Posterior view. A shows a tibial imprint and B the bony
plaque in an osteoarthritis bone. Compare with Fig. 7.
Fig. 14. Left tibia. Upper end. Posterior aspect. A shows the tubercle which is received into the
tibial imprint. B points to the groove caused by the semimembranosus.
Journal of Anatomy, Vol. 97, Part 3 Plate 1
0~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ih-~~~~~~~~~~
::iIItMR"'

E. L. KOSTICK ( Facing p. 402)


Journal of Anatomy, Vol. 97, Part 3 Plate 2

E. L. KOSTICK

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