Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 970
Scientific nameHomo sapiens
CollectionHunterian
CategoryDry preparations
DescriptionThe proximal half of a femur longitudinally sectioned to show the ossified structure of one of the quadriceps femoris muscles.
For a length of about 10 cm the anterior of the femoral shaft is enlarged with a low hemioval form. On one side of this formation the bone smoothly coalesces with the shaft, while on the other it overhangs it. Its size and location indicates that this is the ossified form the vastus intermedius, one of the quadriceps femoris muscles, and is composed of cancellous tissue with a thin outer layer of cortical bone. The muscle would have ossified as a result of myositis ossificans.
Production date Estimated 1760 - Estimated 1793
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Related objectsRCSSC/HDB/4/1/354/1
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionDry preparation of bone mounted in an oval glass jar with glass lid.
Materialglass (material)
Dimensions
whole height: 322 mm
whole width: 164 mm
whole depth: 81 mm
whole weight: 1904 g
whole width: 164 mm
whole depth: 81 mm
whole weight: 1904 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 2, page 107.
TranscriptThe upper half of a femur longitudinally bisected.
From the anterior surface of the shaft, about 12.7 cm. (5 inches) below the summit of the great trochanter, there projects a low hemioval eminence of bone about 10 cm. (4 inches) in length. On one side the new formation shelves on to the general surface; on the other it overhangs it, and has evidently been produced in the crureus muscle. As shown in the section, the new formed bone is of coarsely cancellous tissue covered in with a thin compact layer.
The condition has probably arisen in a traumatic lesion of the crureus muscle.
