Lab 4
The Hip
P REP AR ATORY REVIEW P ELVIS AND HIP
PROCEDURE
Identify the pelvic girdle (pelvis). It is designed to support the weight of the upper body while
dealing with ground reaction forces that are transmitted through the lower extremities during
weight-bearing activities. The pelvic girdle consists of the two hip bones (innominate), sacrum
and coccyx. Recall the sacrum was inferior to the last lumbar vertebra. The coccyx is attached to
the sacrum caudally.
The innominate is composed of three bones that have fused together (ilium, pubis, and
ischium). First identify the sacroiliac joint connecting the ilium to the sacrum. Place your hands
on the crescent-shaped ilium, which flares out laterally on each side of the sacrum. Strong
ligaments connect these 2 bones together, both anteriorly and posteriorly. The pubis is the
anterior, inferior portion of the innominate. A fibrocartilage disc joins the two pubic bones
together at the pubic symphysis. The ischium is the posterior and inferior portion of the
innominate. The ischial tuberosity (sit bone) is the most prominent portion of the ischium. There
are many powerful muscles of the posterior and medial thigh originating here. The pubis, ilium,
and ischium form a deep concave surface called the acetabulum (hip socket). The hip joint is
classified as a synovial joint that provides both increased range of motion (ROM) and structural
stability. Its increased ROM can be attributed to the ball-and-socket architecture of the joint. The
stability of the joint comes from both the deep hip sockets and the strong muscles and ligaments
that surround it.
The lower extremity can be divided into the thigh (between the hip and the knee) and the leg
(knee to the ankle). The femur is the largest and one of the strongest bones in the body. The 3
anatomical parts of the femur are the head, neck, and shaft (Figure 8.9). The head to the femur
articulates with the acetabulum forming the hip joint. The neck of the femur connects the shaft to
the head. The neck of the femur is susceptible to fracture in the elderly. The greater trochanter
and lesser trochanter are key insertion points for muscles that stabilize the hip. The patella
(knee cap) articulates within a groove (patellar surface) between the medial and lateral condyles
of the femur. The medial and lateral epicondyles are located superior to the condyles. The
quadriceps femoris is composed of 4 muscles that cover the anterior surface of the femur. They
directly attach to the patella via the quadriceps tendon.
Key Muscles of the HIP and Nerve Innervation
Psoas major
gluteus maximus
tensor fasciae latae
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
piriformis
obturator internus
gemellus superior
gemellus inferior
quadratus femoris
obturator externus
adductor longus
adductor brevis
gracilis
adductor magnus
Ilium (2)
 Iliac crest:
lumbar plexus L1-3
inferior gluteal L5, S1,2
superior gluteal L4,5, S1
superior gluteal L4,5,S1
superior gluteal L4,5,S1
ant rami S1,2
sacral plexus L5, S1-3
sacral plexus from obturator internus
sacral plexus from quadratus femoris muscle
sacral plexus L5, S1
obturator L3,4
obturator L3,4
obturator L3,4
obturator L3,4
obturator L3,4 (pubic part), sciatic (ischial part)


Anterior superior iliac spine:
Anterior inferior iliac spine:












Posterior superior iliac spine:
Posterior inferior iliac spine:
Greater sand lesser sciatic notch:
greater and lessor sciatic foramen
obturator foramen
Sacroiliac joint.
Iliac fossa:
Ischium (2)
Ischial tuberosity:
Ischial spine:
Obturator foramen:
Ramus of ischium:
Pubis (2)
 Medial and lateral epicondyles:
Ligaments
 sacrotuberous ligament
 sacrospinous ligament
 ischiofemoral ligament
 illio-femoral ligament
 Superior ramus:
 Inferior ramus:
 Pubic crest and tubercle:
 Symphysis pubis:
Acetabulum
 articular ( lunate) surface
Femur: (2)
 Head:
 Fovea capitis:
 Neck:
 Greater Trochanter:
 Lesser trochanter:
 Medial and lateral condyles:
 pubofemoral ligament

acetabular labrum
The Hip
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2.1.1 Introduction to the lower extremity
2.1.2 The hip bone (2:57)
2.1.3 The femur (1:29)
2.1.4 The hip joint and ligaments around it (3:20)
2.1.5 Review of bones and joints of the hip region (1:35)
2.1.6 Short hip rotator muscles (3:56)
2.1.7 Hip adductor muscles (3:22)
2.1.8 Hip abductor muscles (3:09)
2.1.9 Hip flexor muscles (3.31)
2.1.10 Hip extensor muscles (4.54)
2.1.11 Review of hip muscles
2.1.12 Key structures for understanding vessels and nerves of the hip region:
inguinal ligament, femoral triangle (1:59)
• 2.1.15 Obturator and femoral nerves (2:50)
• 2.1.16 Gluteal and sciatic nerves (2:27)
• 2.1.17 Review of blood vessels and nerves of the hip region (1:08)
1. Name the 3 major ligaments that support the hip.
2. List the lateral rotators of the hip
3. Which anatomical plane do the lateral rotators function.
4. List the muscles that cause hip flexion.
5. What anatomical plane do the hip flexors function in.
6. List the muscles that extend the hip.
7. What anatomical plane do the hip extensors function in?
8. List the muscles that abduct the hip.
9. What anatomical plane do the hip abductors function in?
10. List the muscles that adduct the hip.
11. What anatomical plane do the hip abductors function in?
Visible Body
1. psoas major
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
2. Illiacus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
3. Piriformis
a.
b.
c.
d.
4.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
Obturator externus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
5. Obturator internus
a.
b.
c.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
d.
6. Gemellus superior
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
7. Gemellus inferior
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
8. Quadratus femoris
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
9. Gluteus maximus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
10. Tensor fasciae latae
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
11. Gluteus medius
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
12. Gluteus minimus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
11. Gracilis
a.
b.
c.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
d.
Action:
10. Pectineus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
12. Adductor longus
e.
f.
g.
h.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
13. Adductor brevis
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action:
14. Adductor magnus
a.
b.
c.
d.
Origin:
Insertion:
Nerve innervation:
Action: