Ligamentum Teres
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.
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 + 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.