The hip joint lies below the middle third of the inguinal ligament but in a deeper plane. It is a ball-and-socket joint; note how the rounded head of the femur articulates with the cup-like cavity of the acetabulum. Because of its overlying muscles and depth, the hip joint is not readily palpable. Review the bones of the pelvis—the acetabulum, the ilium, and the ischium—and the connection inferiorly at the symphysis pubis and posteriorly with the sacroiliac bone.

On the anterior surface of the hip, locate the following bony structures (Fig. 1):

■ The iliac crest at the level of L4

■ The iliac tubercle

■ The anterior superior iliac spine

■ The greater trochanter

■ The pubic tubercle

FIGURE 1. Anterior view of the pelvis.

On the posterior surface of the hip, locate the following (Fig. 2):

■ The posterior superior iliac spine

■ The greater trochanter

■ The ischial tuberosity

■ The sacroiliac joint

Note that you can locate S2 by envisioning an imaginary line across the posterior superior iliac spines.

FIGURE 2. Posterior view of the pelvis.

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