Also called: pelvic bone, os coxae, innominate bone
The hip bone, or os coxae, is a large irregular bone formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium and pubis. The two hip bones meet at the pubic symphysis and articulate with the sacrum to form the pelvis. The acetabulum on its lateral surface receives the head of the femur.
| Type | Irregular bone formed by three fused bones. |
|---|---|
| Location | Lateral wall of the pelvis. |
| Landmarks | Iliac crest, anterior and posterior superior iliac spines, acetabulum, obturator foramen, ischial tuberosity, ischial spine, pubic symphysis surface, greater and lesser sciatic notches. |
| Articulations | Sacrum (sacroiliac joint), opposite hip bone (pubic symphysis), femur (hip joint). |
| Muscle attachments | Gluteal muscles, hamstrings, adductors, sartorius, rectus femoris, iliacus and abdominal wall muscles. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The three bones fuse in the acetabulum during adolescence. The shape of the pelvis differs between sexes, related to childbirth.
The ilium, ischium and pubis.
The cup-shaped socket on the hip bone that receives the femoral head.
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