The hip joint

Question 1

What is the hip joint?

Answer 1

Synovial ball and socket joint formed by the femur joining with the hip gurdle at the acetabulum. It is designed for stability and weight bearing.

Question 2

What increases the depth of the hip joint at the acetabulum?

What is found both on the hip joint and the head of femur?

Answer 2

Acetabular labrum, fibrocartilaginous collar that sits around the top of the acetabulum

Articular cartilage, assists with weight bearing

Question 3

What are the intracapsular ligaments of the hip joint?

Answer 3

ligament head of femur, small structure which runs from the acetabular fossa to the fovea of the femur

Question 4

What are the extracapsular ligaments of the hip joint

Answer 4

Iliofemoral ligament- inferior iliac spine, bifurcates and then runs to intertrochantic line of the femur. Prevents hyperextension

Pubofemoral ligament-originates at pubic rami and inserts at intertrochantic line. Prevents excessive abduction adn extesion

Ischiofemoral ligament- spans between the body of the ischium and the greater trochanter of the femur. Prevents hyperextension and holds together acetabulum joint

Question 5

What are the main arteries that supply the hip joint?

Answer 5

Circumflex femoral arteries- large supply
Medial circumflex artery- main supplies
Artery to head of femur- provides additional support

Question 6

What nerves innervate the hip joint?

What can this cause?

Answer 6

Sciatic nerve
Femoral nerve
Obturator nerve

Same nerves that innervate the knee leading to referred pain between the joints

Question 7

What movements occur at the hip?

Answer 7

Flexion
Extension
Abduction
Adduction
Lateral rotation
Medial rotation

Question 8

What muscles flex the hip?

Answer 8

iliopsoas, rectus femoris, sartorius, pectineus

Question 9

What muscles extend the hip?

Answer 9

gluteus maximus, semimembranous, semiteninosus, biceps femoris

Question 10

What muscles abduct the hip?

Answer 10

gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, piriformis and tensor fascia latae

Question 11

What muscles adduct the hip?

Answer 11

adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus,pectineus and gracilis

Question 12

What muscles laterally rotate the hip?

Answer 12

biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, piriformis, asissted by obturators, gemilli and quadratus femoris

Question 13

What muscles medially rotate the hip?

Answer 13

anterior fibres of gluteus medius, minimum and tensor fascia latae

Question 14

What limits hip flexion?

What limits hip extension?

Answer 14

Flexion of the knee relaxes hamstring muscles and increases range of flexion

Iliofemoral ligament