Hip joint

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket synovial joint formed by the femoral head and the acetabulum of the pelvis. Its deep socket combines mobility with substantial stability for standing and locomotion.

Acetabulum: The cup-shaped socket in the pelvis that receives the head of the femur. Its depth and rim help stabilize the femoral head within the joint.
Femoral head: The rounded upper end of the femur that articulates with the acetabulum. It forms the ball of the hip joint.
Hip osteoarthritis: Degeneration of hip-joint cartilage and underlying bone that causes pain and stiffness. Wear of the joint’s articular surfaces can impair weight-bearing and motion.
Shoulder joint: A ball-and-socket synovial joint formed by the humeral head and the glenoid cavity of the scapula. Its shallower socket favors a wider range of motion than the hip’s.
Articular cartilage: Smooth connective tissue covering the ends of bones within synovial joints. It reduces friction where the femoral head moves against the acetabulum.
Femur: The thigh bone, extending from the hip to the knee and serving as the body's longest bone. The hip joint connects the femur to the pelvis.
Hip fracture: A break in the upper femur, commonly involving the femoral neck or nearby bone. Fractures near the joint can disrupt mobility and blood supply to the femoral head.
Knee joint: A complex synovial joint between the femur, tibia, and patella. Unlike the hip, it is primarily a hinge joint with limited axial rotation.
Synovial membrane: The membrane lining a synovial joint capsule that produces synovial fluid. It supplies lubricating fluid to the enclosed hip joint.
Pelvis: The bony ring formed by the hip bones, sacrum, and coccyx. The hip bone’s acetabulum provides the socket for the joint.

Linked from 7 pages