Which structure is the small pit on the head of the femur for a ligament?

• A. Fovea for ligament of head of femur
• B. Epiphyseal plate
• C. Perichondrium
• D. Facet for plantar calcaneonavicular ligament

Answer: (A)

The small pit on the head of the femur is the fovea capitis femoris, specifically the fovea for the ligament of the head of the femur. This tiny depression serves as the attachment site for the ligamentum teres femoris, which runs from the acetabular margin to the fovea. In some people, the ligament carries a small artery that can contribute to blood supply of the femoral head, especially in childhood. The other options aren’t located on the femoral head: the epiphyseal plate is a growth plate, the perichondrium surrounds cartilage, and the facet for plantar calcaneonavicular ligament is part of the foot’s bones and not the hip joint.