femur
/ˈfiːmə
/noun (plural femurs or femora /ˈfɛm(ə)rə/)
1 Anatomy The bone of the thigh or upper hindlimb, articulating at the hip and the knee.Bruising of the articular cartilage of the femur (thigh bone) is also seen on the MRI scans of these patients....
- In long bones, such as the femur (thigh bone) a more complex, spiral fracture is more common.
- Now he has been left hobbling on crutches after muggers fractured the top of his femur (thigh bone) while trying to rip off his running shoes.
2 Zoology The third segment of the leg in insects and some other arthropods, typically the longest and thickest segment.Relative to the foundress, soldiers have an enlarged prothorax and fore femora, reduced wings and antennae, and a pale exoskeleton....
- Severe injuries, involving the loss of tibiae, femora, and entire legs were rare but did occur in four exclusive and six nonexclusive pairs.
- Upon thawing, the head and left metathoracic femur of each moth were removed and dried.
Derivatives
femoral
/ adjective ...- The shark attacked more than once and severed the femoral artery which caused McInnis to bleed to death.
- Part of the intestine bulges where the femoral vein and artery pass from the top front of the thigh.
- The man had obviously sustained an injury to his femoral artery, the vessel that supplies blood to the lower limb.
Origin
Late 15th century: from Latin femur, femor- 'thigh'.