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Ligamentum Teres: Anatomy, Structure and Function

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Hip Joint Restoration

Abstract

Advances in hip arthroscopy along with the improvements in surgical techniques and imaging modalities have enhanced our knowledge of the hip joint. Pathology of the femoral head and the acetabulum as well as the soft tissues of the hip joint can be readily diagnosed.

The ligamentum capitis femoris, generally called the ligamentum teres or round ligament, is well recognised as a potential source of hip pain and mechanical symptoms.

A plethora of speculations have been heralded for the function of the ligament, from a vestigial structure with no important function and an ambiguous vascular contribution to proprioception of the hip joint and distribution of the synovial fluid (“the windshield wiper” effect). Recent studies have elucidated our understanding of its role in hip stability. Yet its anatomy, structure and function are not well known and remain controversial.

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Correspondence to Richard N. Villar MS, FRCS .

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Dimitrakopoulou, A., Villar, R.N. (2017). Ligamentum Teres: Anatomy, Structure and Function. In: McCarthy, J., Noble, P., Villar, R. (eds) Hip Joint Restoration. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0694-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0694-5_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0693-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0694-5

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