HIP BONE ANATOMY

Hip bone X-ray 360-degree interactive viewer showing radiographic appearance of ilium, ischium, os pubis, and acetabulum

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HIP BONE OVERVIEW

Hip bone anatomy 360-degree interactive viewer showing ilium, ischium, os pubis, acetabulum, obturator foramen, and iliac crest

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  • The hip bone is a large, flattened, irregularly shaped bone that is constricted in the center and expanded above and below
  • Articulates with the opposite hip bone to form the pelvic girdle, providing support and stability to the lower body

Ischiopubic Ramus

  • Located where the inferior ramus of the ischium joins the inferior ramus of the os pubis
  • Forms part of the boundary of the obturator foramen
  • Attachment point for muscles of the perineal region and locomotion

Obturator Foramen

  • Location: Between the ischium and os pubis
  • It is large and oval in males; smaller and triangular in females
  • Covered by the obturator membrane
  • Contains a ligament forming a canal for the obturator vessels and nerve

Greater Sciatic Notch

  • Location: Beneath the posterior inferior spine of the ilium
  • It is a passageway for key neurovascular structures

Greater Sciatic Foramen

  • Created by the greater sciatic notch and sacrospinous ligament
  • Allows passage of important nerves and vessels

HIP BONE COMPONENTS

  • The hip bone consists of three main components: the ilium, ischium, and os pubis, that fuse in adulthood taking part in the formation of the acetabulum
Hip bone components 360-degree viewer showing ilium, ischium, and os pubis fusion at the acetabulum

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Ilium

  • It is a broad, expanded portion of the hip bone
  • Divided into:
    • Body: Forms part of the acetabulum
    • Ala: Large expanded portion forming the greater pelvis

Ischium

  • Lowest part of the hip bone
  • Consists of a body and superior and inferior rami
  • Contributes over two-fifths of the acetabulum
  • Forms the walls of the lesser pelvis

Os Pubis

  • Forms part of the acetabulum (one-fifth of its structure)
  • Articulates with the opposite os pubis at the pubic symphysis
  • Divided into:
    • Body
    • Superior Ramus
    • Inferior Ramus

Acetabulum

  • Location: Middle of the outer surface of the hip bone
  • Structure:
    • Large, cup-shaped articular cavity
    • Formed by the ilium, ischium, and os pubis
    • Prominent rim surrounds the acetabulum
  • Features:
    • Lunate Surface: Articulates with the head of the femur
    • Acetabular Fossa: Non-articular, located at the bottom

ACETABULUM

  • The acetabulum is formed by the union of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and os pubis
  • Features a prominent, uneven rim known as the acetabular margin
  • Comprises two key components: the lunate surface (articular) and the acetabular fossa (non-articular)
Acetabulum 360-degree viewer showing lunate surface, acetabular fossa, acetabular margin, and acetabular notch

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Acetabular Margin

  • Robust, uneven rim surrounding the acetabulum
  • Thick and strong above
  • Attachment site for the glenoidal labrum

Acetabular Fossa

  • Non-articular depression at the base of the acetabulum
  • Attachment site for the ligamentum teres

Acetabular Notch

  • Deep indentation below the acetabular fossa
  • Converted into a foramen by the transverse acetabular ligament

Lunate Surface

  • Curved, smooth, articular surface
  • Forms the majority of the acetabulum
  • Articulates with the head of the femur

ILIUM

  • The ilium is a broad, expanded portion of the hip bone extending upward from the acetabulum
  • Divided into the body and the ala
  • The body forms part of the acetabulum and transitions into the arcuate line
  • The ala (wing) expands outward with gluteal and sacropelvic surfaces
Ilium 360-degree viewer showing body, ala, iliac crest, iliac fossa, and iliac spines

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Arcuate Line

  • Located on the internal surface of the ilium
  • Separates the body and the ala of the ilium

Ala of the Ilium

  • The ala is a large, wing-like portion of the bone
  • Features an external surface and an internal surface
  • Includes the crest as well as anterior and posterior borders
Ala of ilium 360-degree viewer showing iliac crest, iliac tubercle, iliac spines, and iliac fossa

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Iliac Crest
  • A convex, sinuously curved structure, concave in front and convex behind
  • Consists of the outer lip, intermediate zone, and inner lip
  • Thinner at the center than at the extremities
  • Provides support and serves as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments
  • Outer lip of iliac crest: Outermost part providing attachment to muscles
    • Iliac tubercle: Prominent bony landmark ~5 cm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine
  • Intermediate zone: Located between the inner and outer lips
  • Inner lip of iliac crest: Most medial part of the crest; attachment site for several muscles
Iliac Spines
  • Anterior superior iliac spine: Prominent projection at the junction of the iliac crest and anterior border; attachment point for several muscles
  • Anterior inferior iliac spine: Located below the anterior superior iliac spine and notch; attachment point for important structures
  • Posterior superior iliac spine: Projection serving as an anchorage point for the long posterior sacroiliac ligament
  • Posterior inferior iliac spine: Located below the posterior superior iliac spine; forms the upper boundary of the greater sciatic notch
Iliac Fossa
  • It has a smooth, concave surface
  • Gives origin to the Iliacus muscle

Gluteal Surface of Ilium

  • Directed backward and laterally behind, and laterally and downward in front
  • Smooth, convex in front, concave behind
  • Crossed by three lines
Gluteal surface of ilium 360-degree viewer showing anterior, posterior, and inferior gluteal lines

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Gluteal Lines
  • Anterior gluteal line: Longest of the gluteal lines; starts at the iliac crest ~4 cm behind its anterior extremity; curves backward and downward, ending at the upper part of the greater sciatic notch
  • Posterior gluteal line: Shortest of the gluteal lines; starts at the iliac crest ~5 cm in front of its posterior extremity; ends at the upper part of the greater sciatic notch
  • Inferior gluteal line: Least distinct of the gluteal lines; starts at the notch on the anterior border of the ilium; curves backward and downward, ending near the middle of the greater sciatic notch

Sacropelvic Surface of Ilium

  • Rough surface behind the iliac fossa
  • Shape resembles the auricula (external ear)
  • Articulates with the sacrum
Sacropelvic surface of ilium 360-degree viewer showing auricular surface for sacral articulation and iliac tuberosity

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Iliac Tuberosity
  • Situated in the superior portion of this area
  • Elevated and rough
  • Attachment site for a ligament

ISCHIUM

  • The ischium forms more than two-fifths of the acetabulum
  • Contributes to the lunate surface and acetabular fossa
Ischium 360-degree viewer showing body, ramus, ischial tuberosity, ischial spine, and lesser sciatic notch

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Body of Ischium

  • Forms a little more than two-fifths of the acetabulum
  • Its external surface contributes to the lunate surface and the acetabular fossa

Ramus of the Ischium

  • Extends from the body of the ischium
  • Contributes to the formation of the obturator foramen
Ischial Tuberosity
  • Formed by the posterior surface of the superior ramus
  • Divided into:
    • A rough and triangular lower portion
    • A smooth and quadrilateral upper portion

Ischial Spine

  • A pointed, triangular eminence extending backward and medially from the ischium
  • Attachment site for important structures

Lesser Sciatic Notch

  • Located below the ischial spine
  • Converted into the lesser sciatic foramen by ligaments
  • Allows passage of specific muscles, nerves, and vessels

OS PUBIS

  • The pubis forms one-fifth of the acetabulum
  • Contributes to the lunate surface and acetabular fossa
  • Its internal surface also forms part of the wall of the lesser pelvis
Os pubis 360-degree viewer showing body, superior ramus, inferior ramus, pubic tubercle, and pubic crest

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Pubic Tubercle (Pubic Spine)

  • Prominent projection on the upper border of the pubis
  • Serves as an attachment point for the inguinal ligament

Pubic Crest

  • Location: Medial to the pubic tubercle, extending to the medial border
  • Attachment site for several muscles

Superior Ramus

  • Extends from the body of the pubis to the median plane
  • Articulates with the opposite superior ramus to form the pubic symphysis
Iliopubic Eminence
  • Located at the junction of the ilium and pubis
  • Attachment site for the iliacus muscle
Pecten Pubis
  • Well-defined ridge above the pubic tubercle
  • Forms part of the brim of the lesser pelvis
Obturator Crest
  • Anterior margin of the superior ramus
  • Extends from the pubic tubercle to the acetabulum
  • Forms part of the circumference of the obturator foramen
Obturator Groove
  • Located on the inferior aspect of the superior ramus
  • Forms part of the upper boundary of the obturator foramen
  • Features two tubercles:
    • Anterior Obturator Tubercle: Located anteriorly; serves as a landmark in the pelvic region
    • Posterior Obturator Tubercle: Located posteriorly; attachment site for the obturator membrane

Inferior Pubic Ramus

  • Thin, flattened portion of the os pubis
  • Extends laterally and backward
  • Connects with the inferior ramus of the ischium below the obturator foramen

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.

QUICK FACTS: HIP BONE

Key questions answered about this anatomy topic

Q: How many main components make up the hip bone?

Answer: Three: ilium, ischium, and os pubis. The hip bone consists of three main components: the ilium, ischium, and os pubis, which fuse in adulthood to form the acetabulum.

Q: What is the shape of the obturator foramen in males compared to females?

Answer: Large and oval in males, smaller and triangular in females. The obturator foramen is large and oval in males, while it is smaller and triangular in females.

Q: Which structure creates the greater sciatic foramen together with the greater sciatic notch?

Answer: Sacrospinous ligament. The greater sciatic foramen is created by the greater sciatic notch and the sacrospinous ligament.

Q: What proportion of the acetabulum does the ischium contribute?

Answer: More than two-fifths. The ischium forms more than two-fifths of the acetabulum, making it the largest contributor to this structure.

Q: What is the articular portion of the acetabulum called?

Answer: Lunate surface. The lunate surface is the curved, smooth, articular surface that forms the majority of the acetabulum and articulates with the head of the femur.

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