Hip Bone Showing The Acetabular Fossa, Lateral View

Description

Acetabulum dominates the lateral surface of the os coxae in this image, with the acetabular fossa occupying the central, nonarticular depression and the horseshoe-shaped lunate surface forming a surrounding articular margin for the femoral head. Superiorly, the iliac contribution to the acetabular roof blends into the body of the ilium, while the ischial portion lies posteroinferior and the pubic portion anteroinferior, meeting at the triradiate junction (adult fusion line region) deep to the socket. The acetabular rim is thickest superiorly, and the acetabular notch is positioned inferiorly, interrupting the rim where the transverse acetabular ligament would bridge the gap. Central bone texture is the focus. Orthopaedic relevance centers on the distinction between the fossa and the lunate surface, since only the lunate surface carries hyaline cartilage and participates directly in load transfer across the hip joint, while the acetabular fossa contains the pulvinar fat pad and the attachment of the ligament of the head of femur (ligamentum teres). That separation matters when discussing acetabular fractures, pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement at the rim, and reaming during total hip arthroplasty where preservation of the acetabular columns and accurate cup positioning depend on reliable rim and notch landmarks. Bony landmarks read fast. The fixed lateral perspective supports teaching the anterior and posterior column concept without distracting pelvic inlet or outlet details. Use this illustration in pelvic girdle anatomy labs, radiographic anatomy teaching that correlates with Judet views, and trauma or arthroplasty manuscripts that need a clean reference for acetabular fossa versus articular surface terminology. It also suits patient-facing surgical consent materials when explaining acetabular fracture patterns and socket reconstruction. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.