Anterior inferior iliac spine

Study entry

Description

A prominence in front of the body of the ilium, below the anterior superior spine.

Relations

Attachment of ligaments and tendons of muscles of the lower limb.

Source: cap. 7, «Huesos del miembro inferior: hueso coxal»

Clinical correlation

Avulsion fractures of the hip bone

A fracture of the hip bone is a fracture of the pelvis (see ch. 6). The expression «hip fracture», on the other hand, is usually used loosely for the head, neck or trochanters of the femur. In an avulsion, a sudden sprint or braking (sprinting, kicking, hurdling, basketball, martial arts) makes the tendon pull off a piece of the bone where it attaches. It happens at the prominences of muscle attachment: anterior superior iliac spine (sartorius), anterior inferior iliac spine (rectus femoris), ischial tuberosity (hamstrings) and ischiopubic rami.

Related clinical cases

• Avulsion fractures of the hip bone

Other structures in this region

• Ilium
• Ischium
• Pubis
• Ala of the ilium
• Anterior superior iliac spine
• Posterior superior iliac spine
• Posterior inferior iliac spine
• Iliac crest