Iliofemoral ligament of Bigelow (strongest): inverted V/Y shaped in appearance, it arises from the lower half of the anterior inferior iliac spine and the acetabular rim with diverging limbs attached to the upper and lower ends of the intertrochanteric line Thickenings of this capsule constitute the ischiofemoral, iliofemoral and pubofemoral ligaments: The ligament of the head of the femur and the surrounding fat are enclosed in a reflecting layer of the synovium. The synovial membrane is attached to the articular margins and lines the inner capsule.

Retinacular fibres are the reflected part of the capsule travelling back to the femoral head from its distal attachment to the neck, binding down the nutrient arteries arising from the trochanteric anastomosis. The zona orbicularis is a set of internal circular fibres forming a collar around the femoral neck and partly blended with pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments There are circular (internal) and longitudinal (external) fibres. It extends to the femur to attach anteriorly to the intertrochanteric line but as not as extensive posteriorly, attached halfway to the intertrochanteric crest. The joint is surrounded by a fibrous capsule, which is attached to the margins of the labrum and the transverse ligament on the acetabulum. Through the fovea, the head is attached to ligamentum teres. It is covered with hyaline cartilage except at the convexity of the head where the fovea exists. The femoral head is attached to the body of the femur via the neck, which holds it at an angle. The central non-articular part of the acetabulum is filled with the Haversian fat pad (also known as the pulvinar). This notch is traversed by the transverse ligament. The actual hyaline articular cartilage-covered area (lunate surface) is C-shaped and forms an incomplete ring due to the acetabular notch. The acetabulum covers nearly half of the femoral head. The acetabular labrum increases the depth of the joint 1, thereby increasing the stability of the joint but causes a reduction in the movement at the joint. In comparison to the shoulder joint, it permits less range of movement due to the increased depth and contact area but displays far more stability. The acetabulum is formed by the three bones of the pelvis (the ischium, ilium and pubis). Between them is a Y-shaped cartilaginous growth plate (the triradiate cartilage) which is usually fused by age 14-16. The ball and socket articulation allows for a high degree of mobility. The rounded femoral head sits within the cup-shaped acetabulum.

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that represents the articulation of the bones of the lower limb and the axial skeleton ( spine and pelvis). Innervation: femoral, obturator and superior gluteal nerves, and nerve to quadratus femoris 2 Movements: thigh flexion and extension, adduction and abduction, internal and external rotationīlood supply: branches of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral, superior and inferior gluteal arteries and obturator arteries 2

Ligaments: ischiofemoral, iliofemoral, pubofemoral and transverse acetabular ligaments, and the ligamentum teres 1 Articulation: ball and socket joint between the head of the femur and the acetabulum

Normal hip joint xray