Observation on 114 ligamenta teres of the hip joint in man justify the following conclusions:
1. A true ligament was present in every instance except one.
2. All ligaments contained vessels. In four cases the vessels were of precapillary size. All other ligaments contained a significant blood supply.
3. Serial sections of the junction of the ligament with the femur demonstrate an anastomosis between the vessels in the ligament and those of the head of the femur.
4. This anatomical study supplemented by clinical experience strongly supports the conviction that the ligamentum teres and its circulation should not be disturbed in any operative procedure.