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, 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 poster ...

of the pelvis. It provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle. 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 pelvis. 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 inguinal ligament, the sartorius muscle, and the

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

(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 pubi ...

), and the iliohypogastric nerve.

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. Locatio ...

, 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, 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 groin. Groin herni ...

. The severity of symptoms of damage to the iliohypogastric nerve 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 subcostal nerve lies close to the anterior superior iliac spine, this is put at risk of damage. The iliotibial tract may be irritated where it passes over the anterior superior iliac spine in iliotibial band syndrome.

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