Iliofemoral Ligament

Description

Illustration of the iliofemoral ligament

Name

• Iliofemoral Ligament
• Ligamentum iliofemorale

General

• Thick capsular ligament of the hip joint
• Found anterior superior, blending with the joints fibrous capsule

Gross Anatomy

• It has an inverted Y shape appearance
• Proximal attachments: anterior superior iliac spine, acetabular rim
• Distal attachments: intertrochanteric line of the femur
• Descending part
  • Vertically oriented, medial
  • Thicker, descends down to the distal end of the intertrochanteric line
• Transverse part
  • Obliquely oriented more towards the proximal end of the intertrochanteric line
• Descending part blends with pubofemoral ligament

Function

• Said to be the strongest ligament in the body
• Prevents hyperextension of the hip joint during standing/ running
• It becomes taught during extension, constricting the capsule and securing the head of the femur

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Clinical Significance

• Needs to be updated

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See Also

• Hip Anatomy Main
• Hip Pain Main
• Physical Exam Hip

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