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The retinacula of Weitbrecht in the adult hip

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to describe the retinacula of Weitbrecht in the adult hip.

Materials and methods

Specimens were obtained from 30 adult hips, average age was 77 years (age range 43–91 years), 8 specimens were fixed by formalin solution and 22 were not fixed.

Results

Anterior retinaculum was found in 40% of examined specimens. The anterior retinaculum was in 83% of cases formed by a flat plate and in 17% by two to three parallel bands. Medial retinaculum was present constantly, extending from the attachment of the articular capsule at the base of the lesser trochanter towards the fovea capitis femoris as far as the edge of the articular cartilage. Typically, the retinaculum had the form of an inverted “T”. Of the three retinacula, the medial one was the strongest. Lateral retinaculum was also present constantly. In 89% of cases, it had the form of a quadrilateral plate adjacent to the upper surface of the femoral neck. This plate arises from the insertion of the articular capsule on the upper part of the femoral neck at the base of the greater trochanter close to the trochanteric fossa. The plate extended along the upper edge of the femoral neck as far as the edge of the articular cartilage. Microscopic examination revealed fine blood vessels running through the retinacula.

Conclusion

Lateral retinaculum and medial retinaculum are constant synovial plicae in terms of both occurrence and localization. Nutritive arteries run through both the plicae to supply the femoral head.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic Grant IGA MZ: NS 9980-3 Importance of intertrochanteric osteotomy and acetabular coverage procedures at adolescent and adults for preservation of long-term hip function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Srobarova 50, 100 34, Prague 10, Czech Republic

    Jan Gojda

  2. Department of Pathology of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Srobarova 50, 100 34, Prague 10, Czech Republic

    Jan Gojda

  3. Department of Anatomy of the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U nemocnice 3, 128 00, Prague 2, Czech Republic

    Jan Bartoníček

  4. Department of Orthopaedics, Central Military Hospital, Prague-Střešovice, Czech Republic

    Jan Bartoníček

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  1. Jan Gojda
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  2. Jan Bartoníček
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Correspondence to Jan Bartoníček.

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Gojda, J., Bartoníček, J. The retinacula of Weitbrecht in the adult hip. Surg Radiol Anat 34, 31–38 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0829-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0829-3

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