Linea aspera

[TA] a rough ridge with two pronounced lips running down the posterior surface of the shaft of the femur; the lateral lip of the linea aspera is a continuation of the gluteal tuberosity, the medial lip of the intertrochanteric line; it affords attachment to the vastus medialis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, adductor brevis, the short head of the biceps, and the vastus lateralis muscles as well as to the intermuscular septa of the thigh. SYN: rough line of femur.