56 HANDBOOK OF ANATOMY 



and definite bands of longitudinal fibres are strengthened as- 

 follows : 



The Ilio- Femoral ligament (Y-shaped ligament of Bigelow) is a 

 triangular ligament attached by its apex to the root of the 

 anterior inferior spine and margin of the acetabuluin and by its 

 base to the intertrochanteric line. At the base the sides are 

 thicker than the centre, hence its name. 



The Pubo- Femoral ligament, attached to the acetabular end 

 of the ramus of the pubis and the inferior aspect of the neck of 

 the femur. 



The Ischio-Capsular ligament attached above to the ischium 

 just in front of the small sciatic notch ; the lower end becomes 

 merged in the capsule. 



The Ligamentum teres is a flattened band of tissue attached by 

 one end to the fossa on the summit of the head of the femur and 

 by the other end to the sides of the notch in the margin of the 

 acetabulum. A pad of fat occupies the bottom of the aceta- 

 bulum. 



The synovial membrane completely lines the joint and the 

 ligaments, and hangs in loose folds between the articular margin 

 and the attachment of the capsule on the neck of the femur. 



MUSCLES ACTING ON THE JOINT. 



