Hip Joint Flashcards
What is the hip joint?
A ball and socket, multiaxial, synovial joint.
What articulates to form the hip joint? (Articular surfaces)
Acetabulum and Head of Femur
Hip joint location
Anterior-lateral to gluteal region
Inferior to iliac crest
Superior to greater trochanter of femur
What is the acetabulum?
It is the cup-shaped socket/depression on the inferio-lateral aspect of the pelvis, articulating with the femur head.
Hip joint function
Stability and weight-bearing
Acetabular labrum
A fibrocartilaginous collar that deepens the acetabular cavity
The lunate surface of the acetabulum of the pelvis and the femur head are covered with hyaline cartilage except at…
… the fovea
Function of hyaline cartilage at lunate surface of acetabulum and head of femur
Makes the surface slippery for easy movement
Both the acetabulum and head of femur articular cartilage are thicker at…
…the places of weight bearing.
The non-articular acetabular fossa is covered by…
… loose connective tissue
What bridges the acetabular notch?
Transverse Acetabular Ligament
Functions of the ligaments of the hip joint
To increase stability
Ligaments of the hip joint can be divided into…
Two groups – intracapsular and extracapsular
Intracapsular ligament of the hip joint
The only intracapsular ligament is the ligament of head of femur. It is a relatively small structure, which runs from the acetabular fossa to the fovea of the femur.
The ligament of the head of the femur encloses an artery. What is it?
It encloses a branch of the obturator artery (artery to head of femur), a minor source of arterial supply to the hip joint.
How many extracapsular ligaments are in the hip joint?
Three
Extracapsular ligaments of the hip
Iliofemoral ligament
Pubofemoral ligament
Ischiofemoral ligament
Iliofemoral ligament
- Also called Y ligament of Bigelow
- Strongest of the three ligaments
- Arises from the anterior inferior iliac spine and then bifurcates before inserting into the intertrochanteric line of the femur.
- Prevents hyperextension of the hip joint
Pubofemoral ligament
- Spans between the superior pubic rami and the intertrochanteric line of the femur, - Reinforces the capsule anteriorly and inferiorly.
- It has a triangular shape
- Prevents excessive abduction and extension.
Ischiofemoral ligament
- Spans between the body of the ischium and the greater trochanter of the femur
- Reinforces the capsule posteriorly.
- It has a spiral orientation
- Prevents hyperextension and holds the femoral head in the acetabulum.
Movements of the hip joint
Flexion Extension Abduction Adduction Medial rotation Lateral rotation
Hip flexion
PIQS
Pectineus
Iliopsoas
Quadriceps (Rectus Femoris)
Sartorius
Hip Extension
GSS Bee Hamstrings
Gluteus Maximus
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus,
Biceps femoris
The hamstrings
Hip Abduction
God’s Got Pastor Tolu (if taken away)
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Piriformis
Tensor fascia latae
Hip Adduction
Adductors P and G
Adductor longus Adductor brevis Adductor magnus Pectineus Gracilis
Hip lateral rotation
Biceps femoris
Gluteus maximus
And deep lateral rotators: Piriformis Obturators Gemilli Quadratus femoris.
Hip medial rotation
Same as abduction without Pastor (Piriformis)
Neurovascular supply of hip joint
Arterial supply: Medial & Lateral circumflex femoral arteries
Artery to head of femur
Superior and Inferior Gluteal arteries
Innervated primarily: Sciatic nerves, femoral nerves & obturator nerves
Who is responsible for the majority of the arterial supply of the hip?
The medial circumflex femoral artery
