Learn about the anatomy of the hip joint and the role of its structures.
The hip joint connects the pelvis and the thighbone (femur). It is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head and a socket on the outer side of the pelvis that surrounds the joint. Inside the pelvis are various digestive and urogenital organs, along with nerves and blood vessels.
- The pelvis is made up of three bones: the ilium, ischium and pubis
- At the base of the spine, a triangular bone (the sacrum) is attached to the pelvis by connective tissue (ligaments)
- Various digestive and urogenital organs are located in the space inside
- The acetabulum is a round, cup-shaped hollow that serves as the socket for the hip joint
Role of the Hip Joint
The hip joint is where the acetabulum on the outer side of the pelvis meets the femoral head; it consists of the socket-like acetabulum and the ball-shaped femoral head. The pelvis protects important internal organs, blood vessels and nerves, and a pelvic fracture can be life-threatening because of injury to internal organs, bleeding and nerve damage.
- Muscles that move the trunk attach to the upper pelvis
- The lower pelvis protects internal organs, blood vessels and nerves
- Fractures occur at the femoral neck and the intertrochanteric region
