HIP JOINT. 145 



vertebrae ; inferiorly, to the superior ischiatic spine and tuberosity 

 of the ischium. Between this ligament and the iliac shaft is a 

 space, the great sciatic notch ; and a second, the lesser sciatic 

 notch, exists between the ligament and the ischial shaft. The 

 former gives passage to the great sciatic nerve and gluteal blood- 

 vessels, the latter to the tendons of the obturator internus and 

 pyriformis muscles. 



Some lateral bands are found joining the sacral spines to the 

 transverse processes ; these are termed the sacral ligaments. 



Pelvic or Ischio-puhlc Symphysis. — This articulation is formed 

 by the respective surfaces of the ischium and pubis, and joins the 

 right and left ossa innominata ; in the young it consists of fibro- 

 cartilage and white fibrous tissue, which ossify with age. 



The Obturator ligam,ents are thin membranes, almost closing 

 up the obturator foramina, a small passage being left for the 

 transit of blood-vessels. 



HIP JOINT. 



The Femoro-pelvic is a ball-and-socket or enarthrodial joint, 

 and is formed by the acetabulum of the os innominatum and the 

 e-rticular head of the femur. It has the following ligaments : — 



Ligaments of thehip joiDt — infero-internalview. 

 a, Cotyloid ligament ; b, Round ligament; c, Pubio- 

 femoral, crossed by the transverse ligament. 



The capsular, which grasps the brim of the acetabulum and 

 roughened edge of the head of the femur ; the cotyloid, which 

 surrounds and deepens the acetabulum ; and the transverse, 

 which stretches over the cotyloid notch, completing the circum- 



L 



