6.5 Hip

Question 1

What bones form the pelvis?

Answer 1

The ilium, ischium, and pubis.

Question 2

What are the two innominates joined by anteriorly?

Answer 2

The pubic symphysis.

Question 3

What are the two innominates joined by posteriorly?

Answer 3

The sacrum at the sacroiliac (SI) joints.

Question 4

What does the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis form?

Answer 4

The acetabulum.

Question 5

What type of joint is the hip joint?

Answer 5

A ball-and-socket synovial joint.

Question 6

What bone articulates with the acetabulum?

Answer 6

The head of the femur.

Question 7

What structure deepens the acetabulum for stability?

Answer 7

The acetabular labrum.

Question 8

What is the function of the ligamentum teres?

Answer 8

It connects the acetabulum to the femoral head and carries a blood vessel to the femoral head.

Question 9

What is the normal angle of inclination in adults?

Answer 9

Approximately 125 degrees.

Question 10

What is coxa vara?

Answer 10

A decreased angle of inclination (<125°), causing the femoral neck to become more horizontal.

Question 11

What are the effects of coxa vara?

Answer 11

Shortens the limb and increases shear forces at the femoral neck, raising fracture risk.

Question 12

What is coxa valga?

Answer 12

An increased angle of inclination (>125°), making the femoral neck more vertical.

Question 13

What are the effects of coxa valga?

Answer 13

Decreases shear forces but reduces hip joint stability, increasing dislocation risk.

Question 14

What is the angle of torsion of the femur?

Answer 14

The angle between the femoral neck and femoral condyles, normally about 15° anterior.

Question 15

What is femoral anteversion?

Answer 15

An increased angle of torsion where the femoral head is positioned more anteriorly.

Question 16

How might a patient with femoral anteversion compensate?

Answer 16

By toeing in to maintain joint congruence.

Question 17

What is femoral retroversion?

Answer 17

A decreased angle of torsion where the femoral head is positioned more posteriorly.

Question 18

How might a patient with femoral retroversion present?

Answer 18

With more external rotation and less internal rotation at the hip.

Question 19

What is the closed-packed position of the hip joint?

Answer 19

Extension, abduction, and internal rotation.

Question 20

What position provides maximum congruency of the hip joint surfaces?

Answer 20

Flexion, slight abduction, and external rotation.

Question 21

What is an open-chain (femoral-on-pelvic) movement?

Answer 21

When the femur moves on a stationary pelvis (e.g., kicking or marching).

Question 22

What is a closed-chain (pelvic-on-femoral) movement?

Answer 22

When the pelvis moves over a fixed femur (e.g., bending forward with feet planted).

Question 23

During an anterior pelvic tilt, what happens to the pelvis?

Answer 23

It rotates forward over the femur, producing hip flexion.

Question 24

During a posterior pelvic tilt, what happens to the pelvis?

Answer 24

It rotates backward over the femur, producing hip extension.

Question 25

What are examples of closed-chain hip movements?

Answer 25

Hip hinging, forward bending, or side-to-side weight shifts.

Question 26

During femoral-on-pelvic flexion, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 26

The femoral head rolls anteriorly and glides posteriorly.

Question 27

During femoral-on-pelvic extension, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 27

The femoral head rolls posteriorly and glides anteriorly.

Question 28

During femoral-on-pelvic abduction, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 28

The femoral head rolls superiorly and glides inferiorly.

Question 29

During femoral-on-pelvic adduction, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 29

The femoral head rolls inferiorly and glides superiorly.

Question 30

During femoral-on-pelvic internal rotation, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 30

The femoral head rolls anteriorly and glides posteriorly.

Question 31

During femoral-on-pelvic external rotation, what are the arthrokinematics?

Answer 31

The femoral head rolls posteriorly and glides anteriorly.

Question 32

In closed-chain hip motion, how does pelvic rotation relate to hip movement?

Answer 32

When the pelvis rotates anteriorly over a fixed femur, it produces hip flexion; posterior rotation produces hip extension.

Question 33

What is the typical effect of tight hamstrings on pelvic position?

Answer 33

They pull on the ischial tuberosities, promoting a posterior pelvic tilt.

Question 34

What muscles attach to the ischial tuberosities?

Answer 34

The hamstrings and portions of the adductor group.

Question 35

What muscle attaches to the superior border of the pubis?

Answer 35

Rectus abdominis.

Question 36

What motion does contraction of the rectus abdominis facilitate at the pelvis?

Answer 36

A posterior pelvic tilt.

Question 37

Where is the greater trochanter located and why is it clinically important?

Answer 37

On the lateral femur; serves as a major muscle attachment and goniometric landmark.