The hip joint is a synovial ball and socket joint formed by the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip bone, allowing extensive movement and stability enhanced by the acetabular labrum and a fibrous capsule. It is reinforced by strong ligaments, including the iliofemoral, pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral ligaments, alongside the transverse acetabular ligament and ligamentum teres. The document also discusses two major pelvic gateways—the myopectineal orifice and greater sciatic foramen—transmitting vessels and nerves from the pelvis to the lower limb.

1. The Hip Joint and Pelvic
Gateways

2. The Hip Joint is a typical synovial joint that is a
•Ball and socket joint
•It may also be described as a multi-axial, spheroidal joint
that permits an extensive range of movement

3. The Hip Joint is formed by an articulation between the
•Head of the Femur
•Acetabulum of the Hip Bone

4. The Acetabulum is a deep cup-shaped
bony depression on the lateral aspect
of the hip bone and is formed by the
union of the three constituent bony
parts
• Ilium
• Pubis
• Ischium
lateral view, left hip bone

5. Acetabular Labrum
Is a rim of fibro-cartilaginous tissue
that is attached to the periphery of
the Acetabulum. It helps to
deepen the cup thereby improving
joint stability.
lateral view, left hip bone

6. Acetabular Labrum
Is a rim of fibro-cartilaginous tissue
that is attached to the periphery of
the Acetabulum. It helps to
deepen the cup thereby improving
joint stability.
lateral view, left hip bone

7. The Hip Joint is covered in a thick fibrous capsule which
attaches
Anterior View
Intertrochanteric
Line
• Proximally to the rim of the
Acetabulum

8. The Hip Joint is covered in a thick fibrous capsule which
attaches
Anterior View
Intertrochanteric
Line
Distally to the
• Intertrochanteric Line of
Femur anteriorly

9. The Hip Joint is covered in a thick fibrous capsule which
attaches
Posterior View
Intertrochanteric
Crest
Distally to the
• Intertrochanteric Line of
Femur anteriorly
• Femoral neck superior to the
Intertrochanteric Crest
posteriorly
capsule

10. Anterior View Posterior View
Hip Joint Capsule

11. The capsule of the hip joint is reinforced by 3 strong
ligaments that are thickenings or condensations of the
capsule on the anterior, inferomedial and posterior
aspects
Ligaments of the Hip Joint

12. Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Iliofemoral Ligament
Is the strongest of the hip joint
ligaments
An inverted Y-shaped ligament
Anterior aspect of the Hip Joint

13. Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Pubofemoral Ligament
Triangular shaped ligament
Inferomedial aspect of the
Hip Joint

14. Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Ischiofemoral Ligament
Spiral arrangement of fibres
Posterior aspect of the Hip Joint

15. Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Transverse Acetabular Ligament
Is continuous peripherally with the
labrum
The fibres bridge the
Acetabular Notch
labrum
Transverse Acetabular
Ligament
lateral view, left hip bone

16. Ligaments of the Hip Joint
Ligamentum Teres
Triangular flattened ligament
Runs from
-Fovea on the head of the
Femur
to
-Edges of the Acetabular
Notch and Transverse
Acetabular Ligament
Labrum
Transverse Acetabular
Ligament
Ligamentum
Teres
left hip joint, disarticulated

17. Labrum
Transverse Acetabular
Ligament
Ligamentum
Teres
Ligaments of the Hip Joint
1. Iliofemoral Ligament
2. Pubofemoral Ligament
3. Ischiofemoral Ligament
4. Transverse Acetabular
Ligament
3. Ligamentum Teres
left hip joint, disarticulated

18. Pelvic Gateways
There are two major pelvic gateways that
transmit vessels from the pelvis to the lower limb
•Myopectineal Orifice
•Greater Sciatic Foramen

19. FemurFemur
IliumIlium
GreaterGreater
TrochanterTrochanter
Lesser TrochanterLesser Trochanter
IschiumIschium
PubisPubis
InguinalInguinal
LigamentLigament
Anterior Aspect Pelvis

20. The Myopectineal Orifice
Inferior Aspect Pelvis

21. Myopectineal Orifice
The Inguinal Ligament is the
continuation of the lower edge of the
External Oblique Aponeurosis
Inguinal Ligament
It forms the
upper boundary
of the
Myopectineal Orifice

22. Pubis
The inferior boundary of the
Myopectineal Orifice is the
superior ramus of the pubis
and adjacent Ilium
Inguinal Ligament
Ilium

23. Pubis
The Femoral Nerve,
Artery and Vein pass
through the
Myopectineal Orifice
from the Iliac Fossa to
enter the Lower Limb
Inguinal Ligament
Ilium
Femoral
Nerve
Femoral
Vein
Femoral
Artery

24. Inguinal
Ligament
Greater
Trochanter
Ilium
Femoral Vessels are a
direct continuation of
External Iliac Vessels
found in the pelvis
External Iliac
Vessels
Femoral
Vessels

25. One of the major
gateways between the
abdomino-pelvic cavity
and the lower limb
The Greater Sciatic Foramen

26. One of the major
gateways between the
abdomino-pelvic cavity
and the lower limb
The Greater Sciatic Foramen
Sacrotuberous Ligament
Formed by the greater Sciatic
Notch and the
Sacrospinous ligament
attaching to the Ischial Spine

27. One of the major
gateways between the
abdomino-pelvic cavity
and the lower limb
The Greater Sciatic Foramen
Formed by the greater Sciatic
Notch and the
Sacrospinous ligament
attaching to the Ischial Spine
Sacrotuberous Ligament

28. Greater SciaticGreater Sciatic
ForamenForamen
Lateral View of Pelvis
SacrumSacrum
FemurFemur
Greater TrochanterGreater Trochanter
Myopectineal
Orifice
SacrospinousSacrospinous
LigamentLigament
SacrotuberousSacrotuberous
LigamentLigament
left hip region

29. A number of
− Muscles
− Arteries
− Nerves
pass through the
Greater Sciatic Foramen
The Greater Sciatic Foramen
Sacrotuberous Ligament

30. Nerves that cross the Greater Sciatic Foramen

31. Sciatic Nerve
Superior Gluteal Nerve
Inferior Gluteal Nerve
Nerve to Quadratus Femoris
Nerve to Obturator Internus
Posterior Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh
Pudendal Nerve
Perforating Cutaneous Nerve
Nerves that cross the Greater Sciatic Foramen
See the Gluteal Region for further details

32. Vessels that cross the Greater Sciatic Foramen
Superior Gluteal Artery
Inferior Gluteal Artery
Internal Pudendal Artery
(All of the above are
branches of the Internal
Iliac Artery)
See the Gluteal Region for further details