The hip joint is a classic ball and socket joint, providing a solid bony connection between the pelvis and the lower propulsive limb.

Weight from the upper body is delivered to the pelvis by way of the sacroiliac joint. The sacrum of this synovial joint, due to its natural curve, has a tendency to rotate clockwise - viewed from the right side - under the force of the upper body weight. This rotation is prevented by the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligament - thus assisting the effective transfer of weight from the upper body to the lower body.

It is not only of interest, but also of anatomical importance, that the greater sciatic notch and lesser sciatic notch (bony landmarks of the pelvis) become the greater sciatic foramen and lesser sciatic foramen. This occurs when the sacrotuberous ligament and the sacrospinous ligament are layed in their normal position, forming the closing border, thus creating the foramina. Many important vessels and nerves that serve the perineum and the lower limb enter and exit the pelvis via these osseo-ligamentous foramina.