What is the Femur?

4. The Distal End of the Femur

The primary function of the distal end of the femur is to connect with the tibia and the patella to form the knee joint. Pieces of cartilage called the menisci fill the joint space where the two bones, the femur and the tibia, meet. The medial and lateral condyles are rounded areas on the lower end of the femur. The lateral condyle’s surface protrudes more than the medial’s does. This protrusion prevents the natural lateral movement of the patella which could cause a dislocation of the kneecap. The medial and lateral epicondyles are the bony elevations that interact with the muscles and connective tissues. The intercondylar fossa is a notch on the femur’s posterior that separates the condyles. It connects the intracapsular knee ligaments.