This article focuses on understanding the structures and importance of the hip joint in daily movements, building on the previous articles on the importance of healthy hips for the whole body.
The Hip Joint: An Easy Guide
Karen Clippinger’s Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology discusses the hip joint and pelvic girdle, which are crucial for joining the lower limbs to the axial skeleton. The hip joint, which carries about two-thirds of the body’s weight, and is responsible for balance. A synovial joint with a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid, that acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between cartilage in the joints. In this article, we’ll be looking at each part of the hip joint, and its functions.
Hip Joint: Ligaments and Joint Capsule
- Iliofemoral Ligament – Also known as the “Y” ligament due to its shape, it is the strongest ligament in the body. It limits and prevents the hips from hyperextension
- Pubofemoral Ligaments – A triangular-shaped ligament that prevents excessive abduction and extension.
- Ischiofemoral Ligaments – Considered the weakest among all, it’s made up of triangular fiber bands with a spiral orientation. It prevents hyperextension.
- Ligamentum Teres (Ligament of the head of the femur) – The triangular connective tissue acts as a secondary stabilizer for the hip joint, carrying blood to the femoral head, and contributing to its blood supply.
- The Joint Capsule (Articular Capsule) – Responsible for functional mobility and joint stability, it is contained within a strong fibrous capsule lined with a synovial membrane.
Hip Joint: Labrum
The Labrum is a protective lining surrounding the acetabulum (the hip socket), it helps keep the femoral head in place and acts as cushioning for the acetabulum during movement, altogether improving joint stability and protecting the bone.
Hip Joint: Nerves
Three nerves run through the hip joint and descend towards the knee, namely:
- Sciatic Nerve – The longest nerve in the human body and a major nerve of the lower limbs.
- Femoral Nerve – One of the major peripheral nerves of the lower limbs. It controls the hip flexor muscles and knee flexor muscles.
Obturator Nerve – Another major peripheral nerve of the lower limbs, it is responsible for the motor functions in the medial compartment of the thigh.
Hip Joint: Muscles
The muscles of the hip joint can be classified based on their movements:
- Flexion – A movement that decreases the angle between two body parts.
- Psoas major, iliacus, and rectus femoris; assisted by pectineus, tensor fasciae latae, and sartorius
- Extension – The opposite of a flexion; extension is a movement that increases the angle between two body parts.
- Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and adductor magnus
- Abduction – A movement directed away from the midline of the body.
- Glutei medius and minimus; assisted by tensor fasciae latae, piriformis and sartorius
- Adduction – A movement moving toward the midline of the body.
- Adductors longus, brevis, and magnus, gracilis; assisted by pectineus, quadratus femoris, and the inferior fibres of gluteus maximus
- Internal/Medial Rotation – Not to be confused with adduction; it is a rotational movement toward the midline.
- Glutei minimus and medius; assisted by tensor fasciae latae and most adductor muscles
- External/ Lateral Rotation – The inverse of internal rotation; this is a rotational movement away from the midline.
- Gluteus maximus, obturator internus, superior and inferior gemelli, quadratus femoris, piriformis; assisted by obturator externus and sartorius
The Hip Joint: A Machine That Needs Maintenance
The hip joint, a vital part of the body, requires regular care to prevent wear and tear over time. Even simple movements like walking, taking steps, and standing can cause wear and tear, making it vital to maintain its optimal condition for optimal health.
If you would like to know more about maintaining your hip health, read our articles “Healthy Hips: A Guide on Hip Mobility” or “Your Hips Don’t Lie: A Dive Into the Importance of Hip Health” or learn more from our blog here.
Disclaimer
GulfPhysio.com and all of its content are for informational purposes only. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of posting and should NOT be mistaken as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.
