Hip Bone Showing The Iliac Tubercle, Lateral View

Description

Iliac tubercle crowns the external lip of the iliac crest on the lateral surface of the hip bone, positioned a short distance posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine and superior to the acetabular rim. From this fixed lateral perspective, the iliac ala (wing) sweeps superiorly and medially from the acetabulum, while the gluteal surface occupies most of the outer ilium. Inferiorly, the acetabulum sits lateral and slightly anterior to the greater sciatic notch, with the ischial spine and the posterior border of the ischium aligning along the posteroinferior margin of the hemipelvis. Palpation and identification of the iliac tubercle matter in both surface anatomy and operative planning, because it marks a reliable point on the iliac crest for orientation during approaches to the iliac wing and for harvesting tricortical iliac crest bone graft. It also anchors the proximal attachments of the iliotibial tract and adjacent fascia lata, a relationship that helps explain lateral hip pain patterns when the tensor fasciae latae and gluteal fascia are overloaded. Bone contour is the story here. Crisp edge definition along the crest and tubercle supports teaching of bony landmarks without distraction from overlying soft tissues. Orthopaedic texts and surgical consent materials use this illustration to label iliac crest landmarks for graft harvest, pelvic osteotomy planning, and incision placement relative to the anterior superior iliac spine. In anatomy and kinesiology courses, it pairs well with modules on the hip abductors, iliotibial tract mechanics, and palpation-based landmarking of the pelvis in the lateral position. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.