The Hip Flashcards
What type of joint is the hip?
Synovial ball and socket.
Which bones articulate at the hip joint?
Head (and neck) of femur and the acetabulum.
What 5 things provide the hip with stability?
1) deep insertion of femur head into acetabulum
2) presence of strong, tight, articular capsule
3) ligaments around the joint capsule (especially anteriorly)
4) large, powerful muscles surrounding capsule
5) ligament within the articular capsule
What is the ‘acetabulum’?
A circular rim of fibrocartilage where the acetabular labrum deepens the socket and it is made up of 3 bones: ischium, ilium and pubis
Which 3 bones make up the acetabulum?
Ischium, ilium, pubis
What is the ‘acetabular notch’?
The lower portion of the acetabulum is incomplete, and this is the acetabular notch; this is where blood vessels enter the joint
What part of the femur is contained within the articular capsule?
Medial half of the posterior surface of the femoral neck and the anterior surface of the femoral neck. All of the head.
How does the articular capsule differ in thickness over superior anterior and inferior posterior regions?
Capsule strongest and thickest over upper and anterior part and is thinner over the lower and posterior parts of the femur.
What is the strongest ligament of the hip joint?
Anterior iliofemoral ligament
What is the function of the anterior iliofemoral ligament?
Prevents excessive extension of the hip. Relaxed in flexion, taut in extension, as in extension, it works to hold the femoral head in the acetabulum.
How do the posterior ligaments of the hip differ from the anterior ligaments?
The posterior ligaments are weaker and do not cover the whole femoral neck.
What movements are possible at the hip joint?
All of them
Which muscles are involved in flexion at the hip (sitting)?
Iliopsoase muscles = iliacus and psoas major muscles.
Which nerve innervates the main flexor muscles of the hip?
Femoral nerve
Which muscle(s) are involved in extension at the hip (standing)?
Gluteus maximus
Which nerve innervates the main hip extensor?
Inferior gluteal nerve
Which muscle(s) are involved in abduction at the hip?
Gluteus medius and minimus muscles
Which nerve innervates the main hip abductors?
Superior gluteal nerve
Which muscle(s) are involved in adduction at the hip?
Adductor muscles on medial side of thigh
Which nerve innervates the main hip adductors?
Obturator nerve
Which muscle(s) are involved in medial rotation at the hip?
Gluteus medius and minimus (also tensor fasciae lata)
Which muscle(s) are involved in lateral rotation at the hip?
Gluteus maximus
What is the ‘iliotibial tract’?
Broad, flat tendon that acts as a long tendon for tensor fasciae latae and superficial and anterior parts of the gluteus maximus
Where is the iliotibial tract connected?
Comes from the ilium (where it stabilises lateral side of hip joint) and attaches to tibia (stabilising lateral side of knee joint)
How may a dislocated hip compromise a nerve?
Hip dislocation usually causes the femur to displace posteriorly, and behind the femur there is the sciatic nerve, and therefore a dislocation can incur nerve damage.
Name the three different types of femur fractures.
Subcapital (high in femoral neck), cervical (across the femoral neck), pretrochanteric (in the region of the trochanters)
What is the most common type of femur fraction
Cervical (across the femur neck)
How can you distinguish between whether someone has dislocated their hip or broken their femur?
In hip dislocation foot and leg are medially rotated, in femur fracture the leg and foot are laterally rotated.
What is the main blood supply to the femoral head?
Medial and lateral femoral circumflex arteries (which branch from the profunda femoris)
