Above Above, the linea aspera is prolonged by three ridges. • The
lateral ridge is very rough, and runs almost vertically upward to the base of the
greater trochanter. It is termed the
gluteal tuberosity, and gives attachment to part of the
gluteus maximus: its upper part is often elongated into a roughened crest, on which a more or less well-marked, rounded tubercle, the
third trochanter, is occasionally developed. • The
intermediate ridge or
pectineal line is continued to the base of the
lesser trochanter and gives attachment to the
pectineus muscle; • the
medial ridge is lost in the
intertrochanteric crest; between the intermediate and medial ridges a portion of the
iliacus muscle is inserted.
Below Below, the linea aspera is prolonged into two ridges, enclosing between them a triangular area, the
popliteal surface, upon which the
popliteal artery rests. • Of these two ridges, the
lateral is the more prominent, and descends to the summit of the
lateral condyle. • The
medial is less marked, especially at its upper part, where it is crossed by the
femoral artery. It ends below at the summit of the
medial condyle, in a small tubercle, the
adductor tubercle, which affords insertion to the tendon of the
adductor magnus.
Development The tension generated by muscle attached to the bones is responsible for the formation of the ridges. ==Function==