THE HIP-JOINT 



277 



where a mass of fatty tissue — the so-called synovial or Haversian gland — is 

 lodged. 



The ligaments of the joint are: — - 



Articular capsule. Ligamentum teres. 



Transverse. Glenoid Hp. 



The articular capsule is one of the strongest ligaments in the body. It is 

 large and somewhat loose, so that in every position of the bodj^ some portion of it 

 is relaxed. At the pelvis it is attached, superiorly, to the base of the anterior 

 inferior iUac spine; curving backward, it becomes blended with the deep surface 

 of the reflected tendon of the rectus jemoris; posteriorly, it is attached a few 

 millimetres from the acetabular rim ; and below, to the upper edge of the groove 

 between the acetabulum and tuberosity of the ischium. Thus it reaches the 



Fig. 306. — Anterior View of the Articular Capsule of the Hip-joint. 



Tendon of rectus pulled up 



Tendino-trochanteric band passing between rectus 

 and vastus lateralis 



Placed on the weak spot of capsule, which is some- 

 times perforated to allow the bursa under psoas to 

 communicate with joint 



Ilio-f emoral ligament 



Pubo-capsular ligament 



transverse ligament, being firmly blended with its outer surface, and frequently 

 sends fibres beyond the notch to blend with the obturator membrane. Anteriorly 

 it is attached to the pubis near the obturator notch, to the ilio-pectineal eminence 

 and thence backward to the base of the inferior iliac spine. 



A thin strong stratum is given off from its superficial aspect behind; this extends beneath 

 the gluteus minimus and small rotators, to be attached above to the dorsum of the ilium higher 

 than the reflected tendon of the rectus, and posteriorly to the ilium and ischium nearly as far 

 as the sciatic notch. As this expansion passes over the long tendon of the rectus, the tendon 

 may be described as being in part contained within the substance of the capsule. 



At the femur, the capsule is fixed to the anterior portion of the upper border 

 of the great trochanter and to the cervical tubercle. Thence it runs down, 

 the intertrochanteric line as far as the medial border of the femur, where it is on a level 

 with the lower part of the lesser trochanter. It then runs upward and backward 

 along an oblique line about 1.6 cm. (f in.) in front of the lesser trochanter, and con- 

 tinues its ascent along the back of the neck nearly parallel to the intertrochanteric 

 crest, and from 12 to 16 mm. (| to f in.) above it; finally, it passes along the medial 

 side of the trochanteric fossa to reach the anterior superior angle of the great 

 trochanter. 



