The articular capsule (capsular ligament) is strong and dense. Anterosuperiorly, it is attached to the margin of the acetabulum 5 to 6 mm. beyond the labrum behind; but in front, it is attached to the outer margin of the labrum, and, opposite to the notch where the margin of the cavity is deficient, it is connected to the

transverse ligament A transverse ligament is a ligament on a transverse plane, orthogonal to the anteroposterior or oral-aboral axiscan of the body. In human anatomy, examples are: * Flexor retinaculum of the hand or transverse carpal ligament (ligamentum carpi tra ...

, and by a few fibers to the edge of the

obturator foramen The obturator foramen (Latin foramen obturatum) is the large opening created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and blood vessels pass. Structure It is bounded by a thin, uneven margin, to which a strong membran ...

. It surrounds the

neck of the femur The femoral neck (femur neck or neck of the femur) is a flattened pyramidal process of bone, connecting the femoral head with the femoral shaft, and forming with the latter a wide angle opening medialward. Structure The neck is flattened from ...

, and is attached, in front, to the

intertrochanteric line The intertrochanteric line (or ''spiral line of the femur''White (2005), p 256 ) is a line located on the anterior side of the proximal end of the femur. Structure The rough, variable ridge stretches between the lesser trochanter and the greater ...

; above, to the base of the neck; behind, to the neck, about 1.25 cm. above the

intertrochanteric crest The intertrochanteric crest is a prominent bony ridge upon the posterior surface of the femur at the junction of the neck and the shaft of the femur. It extends between the greater trochanter superiorly, and the lesser trochanter inferiorly. Ana ...

; below, to the lower part of the neck, close to the lesser trochanter. From its femoral attachment some of the fibers are reflected upward along the neck as longitudinal bands, termed ''retinacula''. The capsule is much thicker at the upper and forepart of the joint, where the most resistance is required; behind and below, it is thin and loose. It consists of two sets of fibers, circular and longitudinal. The circular fibers, '' zona orbicularis'', are most abundant at the lower and back part of the capsule, and form a sling or collar around the neck of the

femur The femur (; ), or thigh bone, is the proximal bone of the hindlimb in tetrapod vertebrates. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone forming the hip joint, while the distal part of the femur articulates wit ...

. Anteriorly they blend with the deep surface of the

iliofemoral ligament The iliofemoral ligament is a ligament of the hip joint which extends from the ilium to the femur in front of the joint. It is also referred to as the Y-ligament (see below). the ligament of Bigelow, the ligament of Bertin and any combinations ...

, and gain an attachment to the anterior inferior iliac spine. The longitudinal fibers are greatest in amount at the upper and front part of the capsule, where they are reinforced by distinct bands, or accessory ligaments, of which the most important is the

. The other accessory bands are known as the pubofemoral ligament and the

ischiofemoral ligament The ischiofemoral ligament (ischiocapsular ligament, ischiocapsular band) consists of a triangular band of strong fibers on the posterior side of the hip joint. Its fibers span from the ischium at a point below and behind the acetabulum to blend w ...

. The external surface of the capsule is rough, covered by numerous muscles, and separated in front from the

psoas major The psoas major ( or ; from grc, ψόᾱ, psóā, muscles of the loins) is a long fusiform muscle located in the lateral lumbar region between the vertebral column and the brim of the lesser pelvis. It joins the iliacus muscle to form the iliop ...

and

iliacus The iliacus is a flat, triangular muscle which fills the iliac fossa. It forms the lateral portion of iliopsoas, providing flexion of the thigh and lower limb at the acetabulofemoral joint. Structure The iliacus arises from the iliac fossa on ...

by the

iliopectineal bursa The iliopectineal bursa or the iliopsoas bursa is a large synovial bursa that separates the external surface of the hip joint capsule from the normally just the tendon of the iliopsoas muscle. The most proximal of part the iliopectineal bursa li ...

, which not infrequently communicates by a circular aperture with the cavity of the joint.

Pathologies

Hip Capsule Contracture This pathology is similar to the frozen shoulder. It may be caused by arthritis or by a long period of immobilization Capsular Pattern : * According to Cyriax : ROM of Medial rotation, flexion and abduction are more reduced than extension End-Feels * The end-feel is abnormal when there's a capsule contracture. * you may feel a firm capsular end-feel, but it's before the complete ROM. * it may be empty, caused by severe pain

References

Ligaments of the lower limb {{Portal bar, Anatomy