The contents of this book are based almost exclusively on purely anatomical researches. These were stimulated by questions posed in clinical practice. The results are directed to practicing surgeons. Their chronological sequence leads to a step by step development of theoretical bases and to a progressive rejection of old conceptions. Especially in the field of orthopaedic surgery, a responsible attitude is possible neither without solid anatomical knowledge, nor without an idea of functional relationships. W. Roux had already demonstrated this and he wanted his works of functional anatomy to be considered from this point of view. He above all preoccupied himself with a uniform theory of functional adaptation. Thus it is understandable that the theories ofRoux formed the basis from which to start. Our own researches seemed at first to corroborate the ideas of Roux, at least in part. This is still evident in the monograph concerning fractures of the femoral neck. Later it appeared that ST. KROMPECHER had made a step forwards in the matter of chondrogenesis when he abandoned the shear theory postulated by Roux and held that compression was the only effective stimulus for the forma­ tion of cartilage. The research concerning the healing of fractures relies partly on the theory of KROMPECHER which was new at that time. But ultimately more and more discoveries could no longer be explained by this conception which was only slightly different from the older theories (1. WOLF, W. Roux, W.

Table of Contents:
1. The Fracture of the Femoral Neck. A Mechanical Problem.- 2. Biomechanics of Fracture Healing.- 3. Stressing of the Pelvis and Especially of the Pelvic Joints. Contribution to Its Explanation.- 4. The Principles of Construction of the Locomotor System. Their Significance for the Stressing of the Tubular Bones.- 5. The Mechanical Significance of the Gross Structure of the Cortex in Normal and Pathologically Bent Tubular Bones.- 6. Principles of Construction of the Lower Extremity. Their Significance for the Stressing of the Skeleton of the Leg.- 7. Significance of the Muscular Forces for the Regulation of the Stressing of the Tubular Bone During Movement of the Limb.- 8. The Static Significance of the Linea Aspera.- 9. Critical Examination of the Work of Roux: “Description and Explanation of a Bony Ankylosis of the Knee”.- 10. The Significance of the Mechanical Factors Acting on the Elbow Joint for the Carrying Capacity of the Flexed Upper Limb.- 11. On the Distribution of the Density of Cancellous Bone in the Upper End of the Femur and Its Significance for the Theory of the Functional Structure of Bone.- 12. The Functional Adaptation of Bone Through Growth in Length.- 13. The Structure of the Superficial Fibre Layer of the Articular Cartilage of the Glenoid Cavity as an Example of an Embodied Stress Field.- 14. A New Theory Concerning the Influence of Mechanical Stimuli on the Differentiation of the Supporting Tissues.- 15. The Distribution of Pressure in the Elbow Joint Together with Fundamental Remarks on Joint Pressure.- 16. The Significance of a Tension Band for the Stressing of the Tubular Bone with Application to Compression Osteosynthesis.- 17. Contribution to the Study of Functional Adaptation of the Cortex of a Tubular Bone. An Examination of Three FemoraDeformed by Rickets.- 18. Biomechanics of Bone Grafting.- 19. Short Survey of the Mechanical Stressing of Bone and Its Significance for Functional Adaptation.- 20. The Significance of the Medullary Cavity for the Mechanical Stressing of the Tubular Bone.- 21. A Clinical Observation as Example and Proof of Functional Adaptation of the Bone Through Longitudinal Growth.- 22. On the Modelling Effect of the Functional Adaptation of the Bone.