Explanation of Names
From Latin femur, femoris, the thigh.
Identification
femur noun, plural femora or femurs, adjective femoral - the thigh, a long stout joint, the third, and typically the longest segment of the insect leg. It is also the most variable in shape. May be modified for digging, jumping (Orthoptera), or prey capture (mantids). The tibia is connected anteriorly with the trochanter, and posteriorly with the Tibia. It moves freely, and is composed of three pieces the separation of which is marked by strong sutural lines, these are called the first, second, and third joints of the femur - femoris caput; femoris trochanter, and femoris scapus. When two parts only are discernible, they are the second and third parts; when only one it is the third part, and is alone called the thigh, or femur.
See diagram of insect and spider
legs above.
Remarks
For the three pairs of legs of insects, the femora of the foremost pair is referred to as the profemora, the middle as the mesofemora and the rearmost as the metafemora.
