Anatomy of the Hip
Overview
The hip is a ball and socket joint that allows the upper leg to move front to back and side to side. The largest weight bearing joint in the body, the hip joint is surrounded by strong ligaments and muscle.
Femur
Also called the thigh bone, the femur is the bone for the upper portion of the leg. It is the longest, largest and heaviest bone of the body.
Femoral head
The femoral head is the top ball-like end of the femur. The femoral head fits into the socket of the pelvic bone to form the hip joint. Cartilage on the head cushions the joint in the socket, allowing smooth rotation.
Femoral neck
The femoral neck supports the femoral head. Its length allows for maximum leverage and rotation.
Pelvis
Two hip bones come together to form a girdle at the bottom of the body called the pelvis. It carries and transmits weight from the upper body to the lower limbs in standing or sitting positions. Each hip bone is divided into three sections: The ilium, the ischium and the pubis.
Acetabulum
This cavity in the pelvis forms the socket that holds the femoral head.
Acetabular labrum
Also called the acetabular lip, this soft tissue extends out from the socket.
Femoral head ligament
This ligament connects the femoral head to the acetabulum.
Femoral ligaments
These three strong ligaments attach the femur bone to the pelvis. They stretch over the joint to strengthen and support it.