Fractured Neck of the Femur, Anterior View

Description

Presented in anterior orientation, the proximal femur is shown with the caput femoris seated medial to the greater trochanter and continuous with the collum femoris, where the fracture line interrupts the neck just proximal to the intertrochanteric region. The intertrochanteric line runs obliquely from the base of the greater trochanter toward the lesser trochanter, and the break sits superior to that anterior ridge, creating a visible step between head and shaft. Proximally, the head lies superior and medial; distally, the diaphysis continues inferiorly with a slight anterior bow. Alignment is the story here. Femoral neck fractures are intracapsular injuries, so their relevance is not only mechanical but vascular, because disruption of the retinacular branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery along the posterosuperior neck raises concern for osteonecrosis of the femoral head and nonunion. An anterior view clarifies where the fracture sits relative to the head-neck junction and the trochanters, a useful complement to an AP pelvis radiograph when discussing Garden displacement, valgus impaction, or why a seemingly small cortical break can destabilize the hip. It also frames the difference between transcervical and basicervical patterns that influence fixation strategy. Orthopedic teaching files often need a clean, uncluttered femoral model to pair with AP hip radiographs, CT reformats, and operative notes describing cannulated screw trajectories or arthroplasty planning. The illustration also fits musculoskeletal anatomy and trauma modules covering hip fractures in adult men, perioperative risk, and complications such as avascular necrosis following intracapsular injury. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.