Perkin's line is a line drawn on an AP

radiograph Radiography is an imaging technique using X-rays, gamma rays, or similar ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation to view the internal form of an object. Applications of radiography include medical radiography ("diagnostic" and "therapeuti ...

of the pelvis perpendicular to

Hilgenreiner's line Hilgenreiner's line is a horizontal line drawn on an AP radiograph of the pelvis running between the inferior aspects of both triradiate cartilages of the acetabulums. It is named for Heinrich Hilgenreiner. Clinical Use Used in conjunction wit ...

at the lateral aspects of the

triradiate cartilage The triradiate cartilage (in Latin cartilago ypsiloformis) is the 'Y'-shaped epiphyseal plate between the ilium, ischium and pubis to form the acetabulum of the os coxae. Human development In children, the triradiate cartilage closes at an a ...

of the

acetabulum The acetabulum (), also called the cotyloid cavity, is a concave surface of the pelvis. The head of the femur meets with the pelvis at the acetabulum, forming the hip joint. Structure There are three bones of the ''os coxae'' (hip bone) tha ...

Clinical use

Used in conjunction with

, Perkin's line is useful in the diagnosis of

developmental dysplasia of the hip Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the socket portion does not fully cover the ball portion, resulting in an increased risk for joint dislocation. Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or develop in early life. Regardless, it do ...

; the upper femoral

epiphysis The epiphysis () is the rounded end of a long bone, at its joint with adjacent bone(s). Between the epiphysis and diaphysis (the long midsection of the long bone) lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate (growth plate). At the ...

should be in the inferomedial quadrant on a normal radiograph. Lateral displacement relative to Perkin's line is indicative of DDH.

References

External links

Wheeless Online
Musculoskeletal radiographic signs {{Orthopedics-stub