324 



THE ARTICULATIONS, OR JOINTS 



The iliof emoral or Y-ligament or ligament of Bigelow (ligamentum iliofemorale) 

 (Figs. 262 and 263) is an accessory band of fibres extending obliquely across the 

 front of the joint; it is intimately connected with the capsular ligament, and serves 

 to strengthen it in this situation. It is attached, above, to the lower part of the 

 anterior inferior spine of the ilium and the adjacent rim of the acetabulum; and, 

 diverging below, forms two bands, of which one passes downward to be inserted 

 into the lower part of the anterior intertrochanteric line; the other passes downward 



ILIOFEMORAL 



*s. 



G AW EN T 



FIG. 260. Right hip-joint, from behind. (The joint capsule, except for the strengthening ligaments, has 



been removed. (Spalteholz.) 



and outward to be inserted into the upper part of the same line and the adjacent 

 part of the neck of the femur. Between the two bands is a thinner part of the 

 capsule. Sometimes there is no division, but the ligament spreads out into a 

 flat, triangular band, which is attached below into the whole length of the anterior 

 intertrochanteric line. This ligament is frequently called the Y-shaped ligament 

 of Bigelow; and the outer or upper of the two bands is sometimes described as 

 a separate ligament, under the name of the iliotrochanteric ligament. 



