Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

166 Chapter 7

(C)

Figure 7- 22

Cincinnati of

University

Fankhauser,

David Dr. by

Photography

(D)

(C) Lateral view of the bones of a hip joint; (D) the bones of the pelvis. (Continued)

Cincinnati

of University Fankhauser, David Dr. by Photography

the pubic symphysis. Posteriorly, they articulate with the
sacrum. This ring of bone is known as the pelvis.
The ilium is the uppermost and largest portion of the
hipbone. It forms the expanded prominence of the upper
hip or iliac crest. It is usually wider and broader in females
and smaller and narrower in males. Its crest is projected
into the anterior superior iliac spine and the anterior
inferior iliac spine (Figure 7-22). The ischium is the
strongest portion of a hipbone and is directed slightly
posteriorly. Its curved edge is viewed from the front as the
lowermost margin of the pelvis. It has the rounded and
thick ischial tuberosity, which you sit on, and thus bears the
weight of the body in the sitting

position. The pubis is superior and slightly anterior to the

ischium. Between the pubis and the ischium is the large

obturator (OB-tuh-ray-tohr) foramen. This is the largest

foramen in the body and allows for the passage of nerves,

blood vessels, and tendons. On the lateral side of the hip

just above the obturator foramen is the deep socket called

the acetabulum (ass-eh-TAB-you-lum). All three parts of

the pelvic bone meet and unite in this socket. It also

receives the head of the -femur to help form the hip joint.

The femur (FEE-mehr), or thigh, is the largest and

heaviest bone of the body (Figure 7-23). This single large

bone of the upper leg is not in a vertical line with the axis

Greater Head^

trochanter Greater (^)
(^) Neck trochanter (^)
(^) Lesser trochanter (^)
Intercondyloid
notch^
Lateral (^) Medial Lateral (^)
condyle condyle condyle (^)
Anterior view Posterior view (^)
(^) (A) (B) (^)
(^) ®
Learning
Cengage ©
Figure 7- 23 The femur. (A) Anterior view. (B) Posterior
view.