Ligamentum Teres

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Keywords

Ligament of the Head of the Femur

Tubular, synovial-lined ligament that spans the transverse acetabular ligament to the fovea of the femoral head1.

Function

Functions to sheath and guide the acetabular artery (a branch of the obturator artery)to supply the femoral head1,2.

This is especially important when provindg blood flow to neonates, but the blood supply from the acetabular artery decreases with age1. By adulthood the acetabular artery supplies little to no bloodflow since the majority of the bloodflow to the head and neck of the femur is through the medial and lateral circumflex arteries1.

Note

There are speculations that the ligamentum teres may have a mechanical function to stabilize the fetal hip

Mechanics

According to Atlas of Anatomy by Gilroy2, the ligamentum teres has “no mechanical function”2. Neumann1 disagrees and states that the ligamentum teres “undoubtedly provides some functional stability to the hip,”1 but its exact role is unknown. There are many positions that tension the ligamentum teres such as:

  • Flexion + Adduction + ER1
  • Internal rotation1
  • External rotation1
  • Flexion + abduction1

Flexion + Abduction

In the flexed and abducted position, the ligamentum teres is theorized to act as a sling and support the inferior aspect of the femoral head when in a squat-like position1.

Sensory Function

The ligamentum teres contains mechanoreceptors and may offer an indirect function to stability through improved proprioception1.

Dysfunction

Ligamentum teres stress or injury can be a source of intra-articular hip pain1.

References

1.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.
2.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

Citation

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