[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Femoral head cartilage [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Femoral head cartilage The femoral head cartilage is the smooth layer covering the ball of the hip joint; it thins and wears away in hip arthritis. Official name: Articular cartilage of femoral head [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=cartilage_femoral_head&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Articular cartilage: a smooth, slippery layer covering the ball (head) of the [femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/). ## What it does Lets the ball glide in the socket with very little friction and spreads the body's weight across the joint. ## Key points - In hip osteoarthritis the joint space narrows typically superolaterally; inflammatory arthritis narrows it evenly (axial or concentric) - Crescent sign: a thin lucent line under the cartilage of the dome, a subchondral fracture in avascular necrosis just before collapse - Hip disease can present with knee pain only, referred along the [obturator nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/obturator-nerve/), especially in children and older adults ## Key facts **Where** Femoral head, except the fovea (where the ligament of the head attaches) **Function** Hyaline articular cartilage; low-friction gliding; spreads load; avascular, nourished by synovial fluid ## Relations **Above** [Acetabular cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-acetabulum/) of the [lunate](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lunate/) surface, with the [labrum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/glenoid-labrum/) around the rim **Medial** Fovea, free of cartilage, with the ligament of the head and its artery; the fat pad of the acetabular fossa **Below** Head–neck junction where the cartilage ends; a cam bump sits at its anterosuperior part **Deep** Subchondral bone, fed by retinacular branches of the [medial circumflex femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medial-circumflex-femoral-artery/) climbing along the neck ## How to find it Not palpable. The head lies deep to the [femoral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femoral-artery/) just below the midpoint of the [inguinal ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-ligament/); its cartilage is seen at hip arthroscopy and in joint replacement. ## On imaging AP [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/): superolateral narrowing, osteophytes, subchondral cysts and sclerosis in osteoarthritis; crescent sign then flattening in avascular necrosis (Ficat stages). MRI shows early avascular necrosis with a double-line sign and cartilage delamination. ## Common problems - Hip osteoarthritis: gradual wear of the cartilage, causing groin or thigh pain, stiffness and a limp. - Cartilage damage from hip impingement, dysplasia or injury. - Avascular necrosis: loss of blood supply to the femoral head, which can make the bone and its cartilage collapse. ## How it is diagnosed Symptoms and exam (painful, limited inward turning of the hip); X-rays show joint-space narrowing and bone spurs; MRI shows early cartilage damage or avascular necrosis. ## Treatment - Physical therapy, weight management, a cane and activity changes; medicines or injections for pain. - Hip arthroscopy for selected cartilage or labrum problems in younger hips without advanced arthritis. - Total hip replacement for advanced arthritis: the worn ball and socket are replaced with artificial parts. ## Clinical notes - Chondrolysis, a rapid loss of joint cartilage, is a recognised complication of slipped capital femoral epiphysis - Risk factors for avascular necrosis include corticosteroids, alcohol, sickle cell disease, decompression illness and hip fracture or dislocation ## Development The femoral head is all cartilage at birth, so ultrasound, not X-ray, is used to screen young infants for hip dysplasia. Its ossification centre appears in the first year (often around 4–6 months; some texts later), and late appearance is a sign of dysplasia; its growth plate closes in mid adolescence. ## Related conditions - [Hip Osteoarthritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hip-osteoarthritis/) - [Slipped capital femoral epiphysis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/slipped-capital-femoral-epiphysis/) - [Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/legg-calve-perthes-disease/) - [Avascular necrosis of the femoral head](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/avascular-necrosis-of-the-femoral-head/) - [Transient synovitis of the hip](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/transient-synovitis-of-the-hip/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which part of the femoral head has no cartilage? The fovea, where the ligament of the head attaches. ## How does joint-space narrowing differ between hip osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis? Osteoarthritis narrows it typically superolaterally; inflammatory arthritis narrows it evenly (axial or concentric). ## What is the crescent sign in avascular necrosis of the femoral head? A thin lucent line under the cartilage of the dome: a subchondral fracture just before collapse. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-femoral-head/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** cartilago articularis TA2 382 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cartílago articular de la cabeza del fémur DeCS D002358 **English (TA2)** Articular cartilage of femoral head ## Related - [Femur](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/femur/) - [Acetabular cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-acetabulum/) - [Ligament of the femoral head](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ligament-of-head-of-femur/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=2401&filter=ths_termall&q=Cart%C3%ADlago%20Articular); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hip Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470555/); [8.5 Development of the Appendicular Skeleton](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/8-5-development-of-the-appendicular-skeleton) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-femoral-head/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-femoral-head/