Anatomy
Most superior/proximal part femur, the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint (acetabulum the socket), connected by neck to shaft, globular, points up in and forward, coated with cartilage (other than fovea which gives attachment to ligament of head of femur).
Clinical
Fracture of femoral head is usually due to significant (high force) trauma, and often accompanied by hip dislocation. Hip fracture can compromise blood supply to femoral head, leading to avascular necrosis, necessitating hip replacement; ligament of head of femur (connecting fovea to acetabular notch) carries artery (branch of obturator) which can compensate.
Vignette
Diameter 4.5 – 5 cm (a little smaller than standard pool ball).
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