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Body Surface

The primary surface landmarks of the hip are associated with the innominate (anterior superior iliac spine, pubic tubercle and crest, and ischial tuberosity) and femur (greater trochanter). The skin overlying the hip joint is innervated by the lateral cutaneous branches of the subcostal and iliohypogastric nerves, the Ilioinguinal and genitofemoral nerves, lateral and posterior cutaneous nerves of the thigh, and lumbar and sacral dorsal rami.

Skeleton and Joints

The hip joint is the articulation between the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the innominate. A fibroelastic labrum is attached to the margin of the acetabulum. The hip joint has a strong, thick fibrous capsule and is supported by the iliofemoral, ischiofemoral and pubofemoral ligaments. The hip joint is multiaxial (ball and socket) and moves in flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, medial and lateral rotation, and circumduction (combining elements of the other movements).

Muscles

Muscles of the anterior, medial and posterior compartments of the thigh, and gluteal region act during movement of the hip joint.

Innervation

The femoral, obturator, sciatic, inferior and superior gluteal nerves, and branches of the lumbosacral plexus innervate the hip joint.

Blood Supply

Branches of the obturator, medial circumflex femoral, superior gluteal and inferior gluteal arteries supply the hip joint.