Various Hip Ligaments, Lateral View

Description

Seen from a lateral angle, the os coxae and proximal femur frame the acetabulofemoral joint, with the femoral head seated in the acetabulum and the femoral neck projecting anteroinferiorly toward the shaft. Capsular thickening is emphasized, including the iliofemoral ligament anteriorly (running from the anterior inferior iliac spine to the intertrochanteric line), the pubofemoral ligament anteroinferiorly blending with the capsule, and the ischiofemoral ligament spiraling from the posterior acetabular rim toward the superolateral neck. A critical landmark. Portions of the thoracic cage and lower thoracic to upper lumbar vertebrae provide axial context superiorly, while the ilium, ischium, and pubis define the pelvic ring around the socket. This lateral presentation clarifies how the hip capsule is not uniform, but reinforced in specific directions to resist extension and anterior translation, a point that often gets lost in purely anterior views. The spiral orientation of the ischiofemoral fibers helps explain the characteristic limitation of internal rotation in capsular tightness and why posterior hip dislocation can still produce capsular tearing despite robust posterior reinforcement. For surgeons, the relationships are directly relevant when comparing an anterior approach (working near the iliofemoral and pubofemoral bands) versus a posterior approach that must respect the posterior capsule and its blend with external rotator anatomy, even when those muscles are not the focus. Use this plate in gross anatomy and kinesiology teaching to connect ligament fiber direction with hip range of motion, and in orthopaedic or sports medicine materials discussing instability, capsular plication, and post-dislocation constraints. It also suits publisher layouts that need a single lateral figure to anchor adjacent diagrams of acetabular labrum, capsule, and femoral head coverage. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.