Distal end locus of the load axis of femora for two different periods in Japan.

The loci of the load axis at the femoral distal end were compared for specimens of Neolithic Jomon and modern periods, in which mean oblique length of the femur has been shown to differ significantly. In the present study, mean oblique length of the Neolithic Jomon exceeded that for the modern Japanese. However, mean distal end locus in either period was near the median of the lateral condyle within the bi-epicondylar width for both males and females. Differences in other morphological features of the femur were noted at the site of the condylo-diaphyseal angle. Mean condylo-diaphyseal angle for the modern Japanese was greater than for the Neolithic Jomon. For the same period specimens, mean oblique length of males was significantly longer than in females but mean condylo-diaphyseal angles and distal end loci were essentially the same. Distal end locus of the load axis within the width of the lateral condyle may be determined by the condylo-diaphyseal angle, regardless of oblique length.