Corpus: Linea aspera

The linea aspera is a prominent, longitudinal bony ridge on the dorsal side of the thigh bone (femur) to which many muscles attach.

The linea aspera forms the dorsal edge of the femur and is most pronounced in the middle third of the bone. It consists of a lateral (labium laterale) and a medial lip (labium mediale). A third, short line, the linea pectinea, runs between them in the proximal part of the femur. It runs towards the lesser trochanter.

The lateral lip merges seamlessly proximally into the gluteal tuberosity. Distally, the medial lip of the linea aspera merges into the linea supracondylaris medialis and the lateral lip into the linea supracondylaris lateralis.

The linea aspera serves as the origin for the following muscles:

• Musculus vastus medialis
• Musculus vastus lateralis
• Biceps femoris muscle (caput breve)

The linea aspera serves as the insertion for the following muscles:

• Musculus gluteus maximus
• Musculus adductor longus
• Musculus adductor brevis
• Musculus adductor magnus
• Musculus pectineus (partial)