The acetabular labrum (glenoidal labrum of the hip joint or cotyloid ligament in older texts) is a fibrocartilaginous ring which surrounds the circumference of the

acetabulum The acetabulum (; : acetabula), also called the cotyloid cavity, is a wikt:concave, concave surface of the pelvis. The femur head, head of the femur meets with the pelvis at the acetabulum, forming the Hip#Articulation, hip joint. Structure The ...

of the hip, deepening the acetabulum. The labrum is attached onto the bony rim and transverse acetabular ligament. It is triangular in cross-section (with the apex represented by the free margin). The labrum contributes to the articular surface of the joint (increasing it by almost 10%). It embraces the

femoral head The femoral head (femur head or head of the femur) is the highest part of the thigh bone (femur The femur (; : femurs or femora ), or thigh bone is the only long bone, bone in the thigh — the region of the lower limb between the hip and the ...

, holding it firmly in the joint socket to stabilise the joint. It thus also seals the joint cavity, facilitating even distribution of

synovial fluid Synovial fluid, also called synovia, elp 1/sup> is a viscous, non-Newtonian fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints. With its egg white–like consistency, the principal role of synovial fluid is to reduce friction between the articul ...

so that friction is reduced and dissolved nutrients are better distributed. The labrum is about 2 to 3 mm thick but is wider and thinner in the anterior portion. The anterior portion of the labrum is most susceptible to an acetabular labrum tear.Lewis, Cara L. & Sahrmann, Shirley A. (2006). "Acetabular Labral Tears". ''Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association''. 86, 110–121.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acetabular Labrum Ligaments of the lower limb

See also

References