Dimensions of the rabbit femur during growth.

In the rabbit, the femur grew rapidly in length during the first 4 weeks of life of the animal. Growth continued at a slower rate up to 8 to 10 weeks of age and then reached a plateau. A similar growth pattern (rapid increase followed by a plateau) was seen for the dimensions of the femoral head, neck, and shaft. Significant growth differences between the left and right femurs did not occur.