Anatomy of Hip Joint

Hip Joint Overview

• The hip joint is a ball and socket joint formed by the acetabulum of the pelvis and the head of the femur.
• It allows for a wide range of motion and is crucial for weight bearing activities and movement.

Hip Joint Capsule and Capsular Ligaments

• The hip joint capsule is tight in flexion and more relaxed in extension.
• The iliofemoral ligament, also known as the Bigelow Y ligament, is the strongest ligament in the body.
• It connects the femur's intertrochanteric crest to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS).
• Other capsular ligaments include the pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments.

Muscles and Movement

• Flexion: iliopsoas, rectus femoris, Sartorius, pectineus
• Extension: gluteus maximus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris (the hamstrings)
• Abduction: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, and TFL
• Adduction: adductors longus, brevis, and magnus, pectineus, and gracilis
• Lateral rotation: biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, piriformis, assisted by the obturators, gemilli, and quadratus femoris

Blood Supply

• The hip joint receives blood supply from the medial circumflex and lateral circumflex femoral arteries.
• Both arteries are branches of the profunda femoris (deep artery of the thigh).

Nerve Supply

• The hip joint receives innervations from the femoral, obturator, and superior gluteal nerves.

Hip Joint Injuries

• Hip Fracture: a break in the upper portion of the femur (thighbone), often seen in the elderly due to osteoporosis or traumatic injuries.
• Hip Dislocation: a painful event in which the ball of the hip comes out of its socket, usually resulting from high energy trauma.
• Hip Bursitis: an inflammation of bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around the hip joint, causing pain and limited movement.
• Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease causing cartilage breakdown, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Learn about the structure and function of the hip joint, including its formation, capsule, and ligaments. Understand its importance in weight bearing and movement. A crucial topic in anatomy.