Symptoms > Arthritis Symptoms By Body Part > The Hip > Anatomy

Text Size

Anatomy of the Hip

One of the body's largest weight-bearing joints, the hip is where the thigh bone meets the pelvis to form a ball-and-socket joint. The hip joint consists of two main parts:

• Femoral head – a ball-shaped piece of bone located at the top of your thigh bone, or femur
• Acetabulum – a socket in your pelvis into which the femoral head fits

Bands of tissue, called ligaments, connect the ball to the socket, stabilizing the hip and forming the joint capsule. The joint capsule is lined with a thin membrane called synovium, which produces a viscous fluid to lubricate the joint. Fluid-filled sacs called bursae provide cushioning where there is friction between muscle, tendons and bones.

The hip is surrounded by large muscles that support the joint and enable movement. They include:

• Gluteals – muscles of the buttocks, located on the back of the hip
• Adductor muscles – muscles of the inner thigh, which pull the leg inward toward the opposite leg
• Iliopsoas muscle – a muscle that begins in the lower back and connects to the upper femur
• Quadriceps – four muscles on the front of the thigh that run from the hip to the knee
• Hamstrings – muscles on the back of the thigh, which run from the hip to just below the knee

Major nerves and blood vessels also run through the hip. These include the sciatic nerve at the back of the hip and femoral nerve at the front of the hip, and the femoral artery, which begins in the pelvis and passes by the front of the hip and down the thigh.

Anita

02 Apr 2012, 22:29

Re: Ariel's comments. I am an ex-professional ballerina, 71 years of age. Never health problems but under stress for 6 years now since my husband developed cancer. I am suddenly suffering with terrible hip and knee throbbing. An arrogant Dr.(Ortheopedic Dr) told me I have OA of my hip.
He says there's nothing much I can do. I need to get to a top Arthritis center to evaluate me. I know what can happen as a result of surgery. I want to start an exercise and diet program before my situation gets worse..but don't know where/how to get the right advice. Should I go to that hospital (Sibley) to get started on the right foot? I will go anywhere to get the correct advice. I'm not a pill taker or a surgery candidate without a fight.

BETTY MAJOR

15 Sep 2011, 17:28

I HAVE HAD ARTHRITIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT SEEMS TO RUN IN THE FAMILY. MY LOW TO MIDDLE BACK IS THE AREA MOSTLY AFFECTED. I TRY TO GET ENOUGH EXERCISE BUT REALIZE THAT MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER.

ariel

24 Jul 2011, 09:51

As for hip replacement surgery, let the level of pain be your guide. This is a drastic solution that requires months to heal. In my case, I was diagnosed with arthritis of the left hip and encouraged to have a hip replacement. I saw 2 other orthopedic surgeons who informed me rather honestly that they are surgeons and that's what they do - surgery. Anything short of that they suggested that i see a rheumatologist to inquire about steroids or cortisone and other types of medication. I've also been doing daily exercises for increasing range of motion and strengthening the surrounding musculature. I have good and bad days but I am now very far away from needing a hip replacement, at least for several years. Recently I attended a lecture at a prestigious hip surgery "hospital within a hospital" at Sibley in Washington, DC. The head of the department said that about 1/2 of the clients who come to him for a second opinion did NOT require surgery, at least at that point. So, before letting anyone take the knife to you I highly recommend looking into less invasive options. You may also benefit from looking at the way you routinely sit, stand, get in and out of your car, etc. to see if you can repattern your movements - often hip pain results from compensatory movement from other imbalance in the body's structure or musculature. Good luck in your research!

Irene

09 May 2011, 16:58

I see another specialist next week, this will be my second doctor. I have already been told I need a joint replacement in my right hip but it is on an as needed basis. So my question would be from anyone out there who has had or is having this experience...would you seek options outside of the surgery? I am only 39 and this is the result of a birth defect (my right is slightly shorter than my left)there has to be more that can be done before me having to even consider this major surgery..??Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you : )

Jasmine

05 Apr 2011, 18:46

I have been getting a sharp shooting pain in my right thigh ball & socket joint when I go to stand up after sitting down, in particular when I go to turn. It has become more and more recurring, I don't know if it has anything to do with my being 4 months pregnant..? Please help.

linda

02 Feb 2011, 15:21

4 Weeks i slipped in the shower, my legs went up and i landed on my butt on my left side,after a day or 2 i was getting sharp pains in my left buttock down my leg to the ankle. Now my butt still hurts and the pain runs to my knees. I have tried heat. pain pathches,pain medication and a anti inflamatory, but if i move fast or turn wrong the pain is unbearable. What should i do? Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angela Smith

12 Nov 2010, 08:05

Several weeks ago the day after a walk my hip started aching. I was stupid enough to go on a very hilly walk the following day since when my hip has been painful especially on stairs and hills, both of which are impossible without a stick at the moment. Would exercise help or what? Should I have an Xray?

Marsha Hay

10 Oct 2010, 21:17

I have had two spinal fusions and a left hip repacement. I started to have some really painful days. Mt Dr. xrayed my back and the report came back Arthritis, Arthritis etc.
All he was givem some pain pills. Should I see Rheaumatologist. My brother who is 2 1/2 yrs younger has RA, does RA run in families? Thank you for any advice you can send my way.

Charles Vickers

06 Sep 2010, 10:14

While walking down hill on a hard, asphalt surface, I tripped and fell forward heavily on my left knee bruising it and moderate pain followed. X-ray showed no significant damage. Moderate to severe pain now in vicinity of upper femur-pelvis ball socket. Accident occurred about a month ago. Any helpful comments. Thank you.

Pat W

27 Aug 2010, 00:51

I agree with others; I most definitely need a "map" to know the areas that you are talking about. It would be most helpful.

Estelle Tobias-Mayhew

23 Aug 2010, 22:21

Yes, illustrations of the areas would be most helpful - including those areas of common problems, properly labeled. Most of us have not been anatomy students, but patients with problems. Thank you.

23 Aug 2010, 21:07

pictures would be helpful with muscles
identified

The comment function provides the opportunity to comment on the content above.

General comments or questions to Arthritis Today editors and medical experts can be submitted here. Past medical questions and answers are available here.

Promotion of products and services and other inappropriate comments are prohibited and will be removed. If you spot one of these before we do, please send an alert.

All fields are required but only your name and comment will be displayed. Your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.

Name:
Email:
Text:
Enter the words shown above separated by space Enter the numbers you hear

Anatomy of the Hip

Leave a Comment