What is the Femur?

2. The Proximal End of the Femur

The bulbous head of the femur is essential because it connects with the hip joint. The femoral neck joins the head with the femoral shaft; this is the weakest part of the femur due to its much smaller diameter compared to the rest of the bone. The femoral neck consists primarily of spongy rather than hardened bone. At the base of the neck, the lesser trochanter faces toward the midline of the body. The greater trochanter, a large four-sided part of the bone on the lateral side of the femur, faces away from the midline of the body. The intertrochanteric line runs between the greater trochanter and the lesser trochanter, connecting them on the anterior or front side of the femur. On the posterior or back side of the femur, the intertrochanteric crest connects the greater and lesser trochanters.