Espiral AtlasLateral condyle of the femur
condylus lateralis femoris
Study entry
Description
The other mass of the distal end of the femur, on the outer side.
Relations
It articulates with the meniscus and the lateral condyle of the tibia.
Palpation
Under the skin, with the knee flexed or extended.
Source: cap. 7, «Huesos del miembro inferior: fémur» y «Anatomía de superficie»
Clinical correlation
Fabella (sesamoid of the gastrocnemius)
Near the origin, the lateral head of the gastrocnemius may contain a sesamoid, the fabella, which articulates with the lateral condyle of the femur. It appears on the lateral radiograph of the knee in 3% to 5% of people.
Dislocation of the patella
The patella almost always dislocates outward. It is more common in women, probably because of the greater Q angle, which also measures the angle of pull of the quadriceps on the patella (hence the «Q»). The lateral tendency is checked by the more horizontal medial pull of the vastus medialis; the lateral condyle of the femur, which projects further, and the lateral facet of the patella, which is more sloped, also help. If this balance fails, the patella runs off the track on the patellar surface and hurts chronically, even without dislocating.
Related clinical cases
- Fabella (sesamoid of the gastrocnemius)
- Dislocation of the patella