The Quadrate Tubercle: A Morphometric Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Quadratus femoris muscle originates from ischial tuberosity and inserts into the quadrate tubercle of femur. Simply quadrate tubercle may be defined to be localized on the intertrochanteric crest. There are only a few more detailed descriptions of its localization. Consequently, we have aimed to describe the exact localization of the quadrate tubercle on femur. Material and Methods: Morphometric measurements related to quadrate tubercle were performed on 144 adult dry human femurs. Afterwards proportional calculations between the measured morphometric measurements related to quadrate tubercle were made. Results: Mean vertical distance between the most prominent points of greater and lesser trochanters was found as 63.1 mm. Mean vertical distance between the most prominent point of greater trochanter and origin of quadrate tubercle was measured as 21.8 mm. Mean vertical distance between the origin and end of quadrate tubercle was determined as 17.2 mm. Mean vertical distance between the end of quadrate tubercle and most prominent point of lesser trochanter was 24.3 mm. Mean length of femur was measured as 425.4 mm. The mean origin of quadrate tubercle was found in the upper 35% of the distance between the most prominent points of greater and lesser trochanters and the mean end of quadrate tubercle was found to be located in the upper 62% of the same distance. Conclusion: As location of quadrate tubercle has not been discussed in detail yet, we believe that this study will be instructive for further anatomical dry bone and Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies. Keywords: Quadrate Tubercle; Intertrochanteric Crest; Quadratus Femoris Muscle