Anatomy of the hip joint

Question 1

What are the two functions of the hip ligaments?

Answer 1

1. to reinforce the hip joint
2. to limit hip extension

Question 2

Where is the joint capsule found in the hip?

Answer 2

running from the articular margin of the acetabulum

to the neck of femur

Question 3

What is the risk of an intracapsular fracture in older people?

Answer 3

Avascular necrosis

Question 4

What is the function of the acetabular labrum?

Answer 4

It lines the acetabular rim of the hip joint, providing stability

Question 5

Where does the femoral head sit?

Answer 5

within the acetabulum

Question 6

Why does the ligamentum teres no longer provide the blood supply to the femoral head as we get older?

Answer 6

The artery becomes stenosed by wear and tear

Question 7

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 7

The synovial membrane

Question 8

Where does the pubo-femoral ligament attach?

Answer 8

the pubis to the femur

Question 9

What structure is highlighted here?

Answer 9

The transverse acetabular ligament

Question 10

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 10

The ischio-femoral ligament

Question 11

Why is a dynamic hip screw not suitable to heal a neck of femur fracture in an older patient? What is used instead?

Answer 11

• There is no blood supply from the ligamentum teres, only the retinacular vessels in the femoral neck
• this means that a NOF fracture disrupts the blood supply to the femoral head
• a hemi or total arthroplasty is used instead

Question 12

What is the significance of the hip ligaments limiting hip extension?

Answer 12

It saves energy by allowing us to keep upright without having to use all of our muscles

Question 13

What are the 2 blood supplies to the head of femur?

Answer 13

1. via the retinacular vessels
2. ligamentum teres

Question 14

Which ligament attaches to the fovea?

Answer 14

Ligamentum teres

Question 15

Which structure is highlighted?

Answer 15

Acetabulum

Question 16

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 16

The pubo-femoral ligament

Question 17

Which ligament passes from the ilium to the femur?

Answer 17

The ilio-femoral ligament

Question 18

What is the non-articular surface of the hip joint lined by?

Answer 18

The synovial membrane

Question 19

What are the articular surfaces of the hip lined with?

Answer 19

Hyaline cartilage

Question 20

Which ligament passes posteriorly on the hip joint?

Answer 20

The ischio-femoral ligament

passes from the ischium to the femur

Question 21

What blood supply is being disrupted by a intracapsular neck of femur fracture?

Answer 21

the retinacular vessels

Question 22

What is a total arthroplasty?

Answer 22

where the socket and femoral head is replaced

Question 23

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 23

Acetabular labrum

Question 24

What is a hemi-arthroplasty?

Answer 24

a partial hip replacement, where just the femoral head is replaced

Question 25

In a younger person, we need to bring the femoral head and ligamentum teres close together for a hip fracture to heal.

How do we do this?

Answer 25

With a dynamic hip screw

Question 26

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 26

ilio-femoral ligament

Question 27

What structure is highlighted?

Answer 27

The ligamentum teres

Question 28

Where does the articular cartilage of the hip source its nutrients from?

Answer 28

Synovial fluid

Question 29

What structure provides a blood supply to the ligamentum teres?

Answer 29

The obturator artery