What it means
The longest and strongest bone in the body. Its rounded head fits into the hip socket and its lower end forms the top of the knee joint. A break near the top, at the neck of the femur, is the common hip fracturehip FRAK-churA break in the upper part of the thigh bone, near the hip joint.Full entry of older adults. A break in the shaft causes heavy bleeding into the thigh and is often treated with tractionTRAK-shunA steady pulling force applied to a body part with weights, ropes and pulleys.Full entry or surgery.
For the nurse
After a femur fracture, watch for blood loss and for a fat embolism, which shows as sudden shortness of breath, confusion and a rash of tiny spots on the chest within a few days.
At a glance
| Spanish | fémur |
|---|---|
| Also written | femurs, femora |
Related terms
traction
A steady pulling force applied to a body part with weights, ropes and pulleys.
limb
An arm or a leg.
hip fracture
A break in the upper part of the thigh bone, near the hip joint.
total knee replacement
Surgery that replaces the worn surfaces of the knee joint with metal and plastic parts.