The anterior superior iliac spine (

abbreviated An abbreviation (from Latin ''brevis'', meaning ''short'') is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word or phrase; for example, the word ''abbrevia ...

: ASIS) is a bony projection of the

iliac bone The ilium () (plural ilia) is the uppermost and largest part of the hip bone, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bon ...

, and an important landmark of

surface anatomy Surface anatomy (also called superficial anatomy and visual anatomy) is the study of the external features of the body of an animal.Seeley (2003) chap.1 p.2 In birds this is termed ''topography''. Surface anatomy deals with anatomical features th ...

. It refers to the anterior extremity of the

iliac crest The crest of the ilium (or iliac crest) is the superior border of the wing of ilium and the superiolateral margin of the greater pelvis. Structure The iliac crest stretches posteriorly from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the posterior ...

of the

pelvis The pelvis (plural pelves or pelvises) is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the thighs (sometimes also called pelvic region), together with its embedded skeleton (sometimes also called bony pelvis, or pelvic skeleton). The ...

. It provides attachment for the

inguinal ligament The inguinal ligament (), also known as Poupart's ligament or groin ligament, is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. It forms the base of the inguinal canal through which an indirect inguinal hernia may dev ...

, and the

sartorius muscle The sartorius muscle () is the longest muscle in the human body. It is a long, thin, superficial muscle that runs down the length of the thigh in the Anterior compartment of thigh, anterior compartment. Structure The sartorius muscle originates f ...

. The

tensor fasciae latae muscle The tensor fasciae latae (or tensor fasciæ latæ or, formerly, tensor vaginae femoris) is a muscle of the thigh. Together with the gluteus maximus, it acts on the iliotibial band and is continuous with the iliotibial tract, which attaches to the ...

attaches to the lateral aspect of the superior anterior iliac spine, and also about 5 cm away at the

iliac tubercle The iliac tubercle is located approximately posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine on the iliac crest in humans. The transverse plane that includes each of the tubercles (one from the left iliac tubercle and one from the right iliac tube ...

Structure

The anterior superior iliac spine refers to the anterior extremity of the

of the

. This is a key surface landmark, and easily

palpated Palpation is the process of using one's hands to check the body, especially while perceiving/diagnosing a disease or illness. Usually performed by a health care practitioner, it is the process of feeling an object in or on the body to determine ...

. It provides attachment for the

, the

, and the

. A variety of structures lie close to the anterior superior iliac spine, including the

subcostal nerve The subcostal nerve (anterior division of the twelfth thoracic nerve) is larger than the others. It runs along the lower border of the twelfth rib, often gives a communicating branch to the first lumbar nerve, and passes under the lateral lumbocost ...

, the

femoral artery The femoral artery is a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg. The femoral artery gives off the deep femoral artery or profunda femoris artery and descends along the anteromedial part of the thigh in the fem ...

(which passes between it and the

pubic symphysis The pubic symphysis is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attaches to the pubic ...

), and the

iliohypogastric nerve The iliohypogastric nerve is a nerve that originates from the lumbar plexus that supplies sensation to skin over the lateral gluteal and hypogastric regions and motor to the internal oblique muscles and transverse abdominal muscles. Structure ...

Clinical significance

The anterior superior iliac spine provides a clue in identifying some other clinical landmarks, including

McBurney's point McBurney's point is the name given to the point over the right side of the abdomen that is one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus (navel). This is near the most common location of the appendix. Locati ...

, Roser-Nélaton line, and true leg length. It is an important surface landmark for various surgical approaches, such as treatment of

hernia A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ (anatomy), organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Various types of hernias can occur, most commonly involving the abdomen, and specifically the gr ...

. The severity of symptoms of damage to the

can show whether damage occurred above or below the anterior superior iliac spine. Bone may be harvested from the nearby iliac crest for use elsewhere in the body. As the

lies close to the anterior superior iliac spine, this is put at risk of damage. The

iliotibial tract The iliotibial tract or iliotibial band (ITB; also known as Maissiat's band or the IT band) is a longitudinal fibrous reinforcement of the fascia lata. The action of the muscles associated with the ITB (tensor fasciae latae and some fibers of glu ...

may be irritated where it passes over the anterior superior iliac spine in

iliotibial band syndrome Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is the second most common knee injury, and is caused by inflammation located on the lateral aspect of the knee due to friction between the iliotibial band and the lateral epicondyle of the femur. Pain is felt most ...

Additional images

Image:Gray235.png, Right hip bone. External surface. Image:Gray236.png, Right hip bone. Internal surface. Image:Gray393.png, The subcutaneous inguinal ring. Image:Sobo 1909 573-574.png, ASIS visible at top left, as the origin of several muscles. McBurney's point.jpg, Location of

(1), which is located two thirds the distance from the umbilicus (2) to the anterior superior iliac spine (3).

References

External links

* – "Major Joints of the Lower Extremity: Hip bone (lateral view)" * – "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Osteology and Surface Anatomy" *
Diagram at Wayne State
Skeletal system Bones of the pelvis Ilium (bone) {{musculoskeletal-stub

Structure

Clinical significance

Additional images

See also

References

External links