326 



THE INFERIOR EXTREMITY 



crest by about half an inch, and its attachment to the distal 

 part of the posterior surface of the neck of the femur is weak. 

 When the capsule of the hip joint has been carefully cleaned 

 it will be seen that the fibres which compose it run in two 

 different directions. The majority pass longitudinally from 

 the hip bone to the femur. There are, however, other fibres 

 which lie more or less at right angles to the longitudinal 

 fibres. They constitute the zona orbicularis and are seen to 



Anterior inferior 

 spine of ilium 



Labrum glenoidale 

 Head of femur 



Pubo-capsular ligament 



Obturator 

 membrane 



Pubo-capsular ligament 

 FIG. 140. Dissection of Hip Joint from the front. 



advantage only on the posterior aspect of the capsule, where 

 they were noted during the dissection of the gluteal region 

 (p. 304). The longitudinal fibres are most massed on the 

 front of the joint. 



Certain thickened portions of the capsule, with more or 

 less distinct attachments, are described under special names. 

 They are : 



1. Ilio-femoral ligament. 



2. Pubo-capsular ligament. 



3. Ischio-capsular ligament. 



4. The zona orbicularis. 



