Acetabular Margin Of The Hip Bone, Lateral View

Description

Acetabular margin (acetabular rim) of the os coxae dominates this lateral view, forming the bony lip that circumscribes the cup-shaped acetabulum. Along the rim, the contributions of ilium superiorly, ischium posteroinferiorly, and pubis anteroinferiorly meet at the triradiate region, while the articular lunate surface lies just medial to the margin around the acetabular fossa. Inferiorly, the margin is interrupted by the acetabular notch, a gap that in vivo is bridged by the transverse acetabular ligament and continuous with the attachment of the acetabular labrum. Orientation is unambiguous. Rim morphology matters because it defines femoroacetabular coverage and the bony boundary that can injure the labrum in pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement, where overcoverage or retroversion produces anterior rim conflict during flexion and internal rotation. The same margin is scrutinized in developmental dysplasia of the hip, where a shallow acetabulum with deficient superolateral coverage alters load distribution on the lunate surface and predisposes to early osteoarthritis. For surgeons, the acetabular margin is a tactile and visual landmark during total hip arthroplasty and acetabular fracture fixation, helping orient the anterior and posterior columns and judge safe zones when placing retractors near the anterior rim. Use this illustration in pelvic girdle anatomy teaching (gross anatomy, orthopedics, sports medicine) to anchor discussions of the labrum, transverse acetabular ligament, and rim-based measures of coverage such as the lateral center-edge angle. It also suits operative technique manuals and patient-facing education on femoroacetabular impingement and periacetabular osteotomy planning. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.