Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02508-5 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The morphometry, localization, and shape types of the fovea capitis femoris, and their relationship with the femoral head parameters Burhan Yarar 1  · Mehmet Ali Malas 2  · Gizem Çizmeci 2 Received: 24 January 2020 / Accepted: 25 May 2020 © Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the morphometric properties of the fovea capitis femoris (FCF) and its localization on the femoral head, the shape types, and the relationship with the femoral head parameters. Methods This study was performed on 146 dry femora. The morphological and morphometric properties were evaluated on dry bones and digital images of these bones. Some of the FCF and femoral head parameters were measured with a caliper on dry bones while others were measured using ImageJ software on digital images. Results The most common localization type was the Type 2 localization and the shape type was the oval type. The FCF sizes [except depth of the FCF (D FCF )] were found to be smaller in the Type 1 localization. The femoral neck shaft angle (NSA) was found to be greater in the triangular type than the round (or circular) type on the left side and in all cases. The vertical diameter of the femoral head (FHD-V), the anteroposterior diameter of the femoral head (FHD-AP), and the area of the femoral head (AREA HOF ) values were greater in the triangular types than in the oval types in all cases. There was no relationship between the localization types and the shape types of the FCF. Conclusion Results showed that the morphometric properties, localization, and shape types of the FCF were related to some femoral head parameters. It is thought that our fndings contributed to orthopedic and radiological applications and anthropological sciences. Keywords Fovea · Localization · Shape · Type Introduction The fovea capitis femoris (FCF) is a pit area on the femo- ral head and the ligamentum capitis femoris (ligamentum teres), one of the ligaments of the hip joint, attached to the FCF [24]. In addition, some vascular structures enter the inside of the FCF and provide a blood supply to the femoral head [12, 13]. Therefore, the morphological and morpho- metric structure of the FCF was thought to be important in terms of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The changes in the morphometric structure of the FCF and its position within the hip joint have been associated with the devel- opment of dysplasia and osteoarthritis in the hip joint [6, 7, 20]. Sampatchalit et al. [23] stated that FCF dimensions may be normal or increased in cases related to degenera- tive changes in the ligamentum capitis femoris. In the same study, it was shown that the thickest ligamentum capitis femoris adheres to the widest and deepest FCF [23]. Cerezal et al. [10] reported that the FCF has a hypoplastic structure in the congenital absence of the ligamentum capitis femo- ris. Therefore, consideration of the FCF morphology may help the clinician in evaluating hip joint osteoarthritis and ligamentum capitis femoris. Knowing the localization of the FCF may help to determine the rotational position of the femoral head in femoral neck fractures [11, 18]. In addition, the FCF is an important landmark for morphometric meas- urements of the proximal femur and radiological examina- tion, arthroscopic procedures, and surgical interventions in the hip joint [2, 6, 14, 18, 20]. This study was sent to the congress committee for oral presentation at the 20th National Anatomy Congress, 27–31 August 2019, Istanbul, Turkey. * Burhan Yarar drburhan25@gmail.com 1 Department of Anatomy, Atatürk University, Medical Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey 2 Department of Anatomy, Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey