hoftebenenes

Hoftebenene, in anatomy, refer to the hip bones of the pelvis. Each side of the pelvis is formed by a hip bone, or os coxae, which develops from three fused bones: the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis. The ilium is the large, upper portion with the prominent iliac crest. The ischium forms the lower posterior part and includes the ischial tuberosity, which bears weight when sitting. The pubis is the anterior portion with a joint at the pubic symphysis where the two sides meet.

The three components join at the acetabulum, the socket for the femoral head, forming the hip joint. The hip bones connect to the sacrum via the sacroiliac joints, completing the pelvic ring. Together with the sacrum and coccyx, they constitute the bony pelvis, which encases and protects pelvic organs such as the bladder, reproductive organs, and portions of the digestive tract. The pelvic girdle also serves as a major attachment point for muscles that move the trunk and lower limbs, including the gluteal muscles, hip flexors, adductors, and abdominal muscles.

Development and variation: in early life the ilium, ischium, and pubis are separate and fuse in late adolescence to form a single hip bone. Anatomical differences between sexes include a wider, more circular pelvic inlet and broader pubic arch in females, versus a narrower, heart-shaped inlet in males, adaptations related to childbirth.

Clinical relevance: injuries to the pelvic region can involve the acetabulum or surrounding structures; hip fractures in older adults often involve the proximal femur rather than the pelvic bones themselves. Imaging for evaluation typically includes X-ray, CT, or MRI as appropriate.