Hip

The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body. It is also referred to as a ball and socket joint and is surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The hip joint is made up of the following:

Bones and Joints

The hip joint is the junction where the hip joins the leg to the trunk of the body. It is comprised of two bones: the thigh bone or femur and the pelvis which is made up of three bones called ilium, ischium, and pubis. The ball of the hip joint is made by the femoral head while the socket is formed by the acetabulum.

Ligaments

The ligaments adjoining the hip joint include:

• Iliofemoral ligament
• Pubofemoral ligament
• Ischiofemoral ligament
• Ligamentum teres
• Acetabular labrum

Muscles and Tendons

A long tendon called the iliotibial band runs along the femur from the hip to the knee and serves as an attachment site for several hip muscles including the following:

• Gluteals
• Adductors
• Iliopsoas
• Rectus femoris
• Hamstring muscles

Nerves and Arteries

The main nerves in the hip region include the femoral nerve in the front of the femur and the sciatic nerve at the back. The hip is also supplied by a smaller nerve known as the obturator nerve.

The femoral artery, one of the largest arteries in the body, arises deep in the pelvis and can be felt in front of the upper thigh.