Arthrology of the Hip and Pelvis

Question 1

Sacroiliac joint

Answer 1

Between sacrum and ilium.
Synovial joint.
Covered by strong ligaments: 
- Sacrospinous 
- Sacroiliac anterior
- Sacroiliac posterior
- Interosseous sacroiliac

Question 2

Sacrotuberous ligament

Answer 2

Part of the sacroiliac joint.
Situated at the lower and back part of the pelvis.
- Origin: PSIS and PIIS + merging with the posterior sacroiliac
ligament + lateral border of the sacrum and coccyx.
- Insertion: Ischial tuberosity.

Question 3

Sacrospinous ligament

Answer 3

Part of the Sacroiliac joint.
Thin and triangular ligament.
- Origin: Lateral border of sacrum and coccyx (common to
sacrotuberal).
- Insertion: Ischial spine.
- Role: prevent the rotation of the ilium past the sacrum.

Question 4

Anterior Sacroiliac ligament

Answer 4

Numerous thin bands.
Most cases: a slight thickening of the anterior joint capsule.
- Origin: Iliac fossa.
- Insertion: Promontory and lateral portion of sacrum (first 3
foramina).

Question 5

Posterior Sacroiliac ligament

Answer 5

Strong ligament.

• Origin: PSIS and PIIS + posterior portion of the iliac crest.
• Insertion: Lateral sacral crests.

Question 6

Interosseus Sacroiliac ligament

Answer 6

Strongest ligaments of the sacroiliac joint, deep to the
posterior ligament.
Join ilium and sacrum.
- Origin: Iliac tuberosity.
- Insertion: Sacral tuberosity, medial sacral crest.
- Role: avoid displacement of sacrum; prevent abduction or
distraction of the sacroiliac joint.

Question 7

Inguinal ligament

Answer 7

• Origin: ASIS
• Insertion: Pubic tubercle
• Role: Roof of inguinal canal and lacunae, origin of obliquus
  internus and transversus abdominis muscles.

Question 8

Symphysis Pubis

Answer 8

Between medial surfaces of each pubic bone.
Shock absorption when jumping.
Each articular surface covered by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage. Joined to the opposite side by a fibrocartilage interpubic disc.
- Superior pubic ligament
- Arcuate pubic ligament

Question 9

Superior pubic ligament

Answer 9

Strengthening the anterosuperior aspect of the joint.

• Origin: Pubic crest.
• Insertion: Pubic Tubercle.

Question 10

Arcuate pubic ligament

Answer 10

Strengthening the joint inferiorly.

• Origin: One pubic rami.
• Insertion: Other pubic rami.

Question 11

Hip joint

Answer 11

Powerful weight bearing joint between acetabulum and femoral head.
Ball and socket joint (Spheroidal) with hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid.
- Glenoid labrum elongates the acetabulum.
Connected by ligaments:
- Intracapsular
- Extracapsular

Question 12

Glenoid labrum

Answer 12

Very important for stability, keeping the femoral head articulating with the acetabulum.
Negative pressure within the joint capsule.
Increases the surface area for articulation.

Question 13

Ligament of the head of the femur (ligamentum teres)

Answer 13

Intracapsular ligament.
Important function in the nutrition of the head of the femur.
Helps keep hip joint in socket.
- Origin: Acetabulum.
- Insertion: Femoral fovea.

Question 14

Transverse acetabular ligament

Answer 14

Intracapsular ligament.

Portion of the labrum.

Question 15

Iliofemoral ligament

Answer 15

Extracapsular ligament, strongest of the 3.
- Origin: AIIS, acetabular limbus.
- Insertion: Intertrochanteric line.
- Role: Reinforces the joint capsule. Limits extension and
external rotation.

Question 16

Ischiofemoral ligament

Answer 16

Extracapsular ligament.

• Origin: Ischium.
• Insertion: Greater trochanter.
• Role: Limits internal rotation. Stability in extension and limits
  hyperextension. Laxity in flexion.

Question 17

Pubofemoral ligament

Answer 17

Extracapsular ligament.

• Origin: Superior ramus of the pubis.
• Insertion: Intertrochanteric line.
• Role: Limits hip extension, abduction and external rotation.