Skip to main content

Acetabular Canal. Part 1.

 

Acetabular Canal. Part 1

S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland


Abstract

This article describes the space where the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) attaches and functions. See also Part 2 and Part 3. 


Elements of the Hip Joint

In the hip joint, articulatio coxae, the acetabulum of the pelvic bone (os coxae) directly contacts the head of the femur (caput femoris). The acetabulum (acetabulum) is a spherical-shaped cavity located on the external surface of the pelvic bone (os coxae), at the junction of the ilium (os ilium), ischium (os ischii), and pubis (os pubis). The component of the acetabulum in the shape of a horseshoe, covered with hyaline cartilage, is called the lunate surface (facies lunata). The acetabular fossa (fossa acetabuli) and the acetabular notch (incisura acetabuli) do not have cartilage coverage. These form a cavity resembling the shape of a tennis racket with a curved plane. At the bottom of the acetabular fossa lies a mass of white adipose tissue – the "fat pad," the ligament of the femoral head (ligamentum capitis femoris, LCF), and synovial folds. The femoral head is the most proximal part of the femur, which transitions below into the cylindrical femoral neck (collum femoris) and then into the body of the femur (corpus femoris). The spherical femoral head is covered with a layer of hyaline cartilage, except for the femoral head fovea (fovea capitis femoris). The head directly contacts the lunate surface of the acetabulum.


Figure 1. Right hip joint, anterior view (from 1908GrayH).


The acetabular labrum (labrum acetabulare), formed by fibrocartilage, attaches to the peripheral edge of the acetabulum and to the transverse ligament of the acetabulum (ligamentum transversum acetabuli). The transverse ligament of the acetabulum connects the edges of the acetabular notch and represents a true intra-articular ligament. Another ligament within the hip joint is the LCF. Its proximal attachment is to the acetabulum, and the distal attachment is to the femoral head. The hip joint is sealed by the joint capsule (capsula articularis), a fibrous membrane in the form of a sleeve. On one side, it attaches to the pelvic bone outside the acetabular labrum, and on the other side, to the proximal end of the femur (extremitas proximalis femoris). The external ligaments of the hip joint are woven into the joint capsule: the iliofemoral ligament (ligamentum iliofemorale), the pubofemoral ligament (ligamentum pubofemorale), the ischiofemoral ligament (ligamentum ischiofemorale), and the orbicular zone (zona orbicularis, Weber's ligament).

The internal surface of the joint capsule, the intra-articular part of the femoral neck, the LCF, the femoral head fovea, and the surface of the acetabulum, which lacks hyaline cartilage, are covered by synovial tissue. The hip joint cavity contains synovial fluid, or "synovia." In our understanding, this is a special component of the joint, a kind of liquid tissue surrounding the intra-articular elements. On the outside of the hip joint there are nerves, vessels, a significant volume of muscles separated by fascial sheets, as well as subcutaneous fat and skin. On the inside, the joint is separated from the muscles, pelvic organs, large vessels and nerves by the pelvic bone.


Figure 2. Transverse ligament and notch of the right acetabulum, inferior view. A, cut surface of the pubic bone. B, same with the ischial bone. C, bone edge between the acetabulum and the obturator foramen, forming the bottom of the acetabular notch. D, fibers of the transverse ligament, originating from the anterior, or pubic, corner of the notch, crossing under fibers (E), originating from the posterior, or ischial, corner, and merging with (F) the acetabular ligament [labrum acetabulare], which continues through the notch, in front of the transverse ligament. G, free space in the notch occupied by adipose tissue, transitioning into the LCF (from 1858HumphryGM).


General Concept of the Acetabular Canal

The transverse ligament of the acetabulum spans across the acetabular notch in the anterior-inferior sector of the acetabulum. T. Schwencke was likely the first to indicate the existence of a hole under the transverse ligament of the acetabulum in his work "Haematologia, sive sanguinis historia" (1743). C. Debierre (1890) called it the "subacetabular" hole (trou sous-cotyloïdien), through which the "interarticular ligament," i.e., LCF, enters the joint. The space between the transverse ligament, the bottom, and the walls of the acetabular notch is filled with adipose tissue (1968РевенкоТА). Modern researchers agree that the transverse ligament of the acetabulum transforms the acetabular notch into a hole (1993ДоэртиМ_ДоэртиД), or rather, into a canal where blood vessels and nerves pass (1946ТонковВ; 1959КорневПГ). Some authors describe this space as a cleft (1996МинеевКП_СтэльмахКК). We proposed to call the said cavity between the head of the femur, which contacts the acetabulum, the "acetabular canal", canalis acetabularis (2004Архипов-БалтийскийСВ). Until now, this formation has received unreasonably little attention in clinical and scientific research.


Figure 3. LCF "entering" the hip joint through the acetabular canal; markings: A – upper part of the femur; a – joint surface; b – greater trochanter; B – ischial bone; C – iliac bone; d – ischial tuberosity; D – acetabulum; 1 – acetabular rim; 2, 3 – interarticular ligament [LCF]; 4, subpubic or obturator membrane (from 1890DebierreC).

In general, the acetabular canal is formed by the femoral head and the acetabular fossa and notch. It is an open, blind-ending slit-like space. Synovial fluid, LCF, white adipose tissue, and folded synovial membrane are visually detected within the acetabular canal. The bony walls of the acetabular canal are covered by soft tissues: hyaline cartilage perichondrium and synovial membrane. This, along with the synovial fluid, reduces the likelihood of LCF abrasion against the bony elements during joint movements.

The works of А.В. Воронцова (1979), Т.Т. Кикачеишвили (1985), В.А. Шильникова (1991), В.А. Неверова & В.А. Шильникова (1991) demonstrated that the head of the femur and the lunate surface of the acetabulum contact in certain zones in the presence of microscopic slit-like spaces, although sometimes having a height of up to 2 mm. This circumstance predetermines the possibility of movement of synovial fluid from the acetabular part of the joint to the cervical part and vice versa. The acetabular labrum helps to separate the medial section of the hip joint from the lateral section. Like a locking ring in mechanisms, it elastically covers the periphery of the femoral head. Due to this, the acetabular part of the joint, and consequently the acetabular canal, is completely sealed. Entry into it is possible only from outside the joint through the acetabular notch, which, as previously mentioned, is filled with adipose tissue (1858HumphryGM; 1968РевенкоТА).


Figure 4. Section of the hip joint; the acetabular canal is indicated by us (from 1836WeberW_WeberE).


At least two arteries enter the acetabular canal. One of them is a continuation of the medial femoral circumflex artery (a. circumflexa femoris medialis) and branches to the acetabulum (r. acetabularis). Another artery is the terminal element of the posterior branch of the obturator artery (r. posterior a. obturatoria), also called the acetabular branch (r. acetabularis) (1963КовановВВ_ТравинАА; 1973СинельниковРД). The latter belongs to the internal iliac artery system, while the former is part of the external iliac artery system. The branch of the a. acetabuli, r. posterior a. obturatoria, is the a. lig. capitis femoris (a. ligamentum teres), which ends as the medial epiphyseal artery (1965ChapchalG; 1984SteinbergME). The LCF artery anastomoses in the femoral head with rr. nutritii capitis proximalis et distalis. Veins and lymphatic vessels exit from the acetabular canal. The veins of the LCF pass through its adipose tissue and are connected with the obturator vein along with the veins of the "fat pad" (1954ГаевскаяЛИ). The lymphatic vessels from the LCF and the part of the capsule immediately adjacent to the transverse ligament of the acetabulum follow the course of the obturator vessels and flow into the hypogastric lymph nodes (1959ГинзбургВВ; 1963КовановВВ_ТравинАА; 1991СоковЛП_РомановМФ). Furthermore, N. Rüdinger (1857) discovered that the obturator nerve, having reached the obturator foramen, gives off a thin trunk that enters the acetabular notch. Penetrating into the hip joint together with the vessels, it branched in the fatty tissue, the transverse ligament of the acetabulum and the LCF (1935ГеселевичАМ; 1981ГолубДМ_БронивицкаяГМ). Б.З. Перлин et al. (1977) found nerve trunks, bundles, myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, nerve plexuses, and receptors, with a significant number of them being mechanoreceptors, in the LCF. These elements, as parts of the LCF, are located together with it in the acetabular canal.


References

Chapchal G. Orthopädische chirurgie und traumatologie der Hüfte. Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke verlag, 1965.

Debierre C. Traité élémentaire d'anatomie de l'homme (anatomie descriptive et dissection): avec notions d'organogénie et d'embryologie générale. Tome 1. Paris: Félix Alcan, 1890. 

Rüdinger N. Die Gelenknerven des menschlichen Körpers. Erlangen: F. Enke, 1857.

Schwencke T. Haematologia, sive sanguinis historia, experimentis passim superstructa. Accedit observatio anatomica de acetabuli ligamento interno, caput femoris firmante, cum binis tabulis adjectis. Hagae: Jon. Mart. Husson, 1743.

Steinberg ME. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head. In: Surgery of the hip joint ; еd. R.G.Tronzo. 2nd ed. Berlin [etc.]: Springer-Verlag, 1984;2:1-29.

Архипов-Балтийский С.В. Рассуждение о морфомеханике. Норма: В 2-х томах. Калининград, 2004. 

Воронцов АВ. Новый способ эндопротезирования головки бедра. Вестн. хирург. 1979;5:124-125.

Геселевич АМ, Лубоцкий ДН. Пособие к практическим занятиям по топографической анатомии конечностей. Куйбышев, 1941. 

Гинзбург ВВ. Лимфатическая система нижних конечностей человека. Ленинград: Медгиз, 1959.

Голуб ДМ, Бронивицкая ГМ. Развитие тазобедренного сустава и его иннервации у человека. Архив анатом., гистол. и эмбриол. 1981;80(5)47-5.

Доэрти М., Доэрти Дж. Клиническая диагностика болезней суставов: Пер. с англ. Минск: Тивали, 1993. 

Кикачеишвили ТТ. Индивидуальное эндопротезирование при сохранных операциях у больных опухолями костей: Дисс. д-ра мед. наук. Ленинград, 1985.

Кованов ВВ, Травин АА. Хирургическая анатомия нижних конечностей. Москва, 1963. 

Корнев ПГ. Клиника и лечение костно-суставного туберкулеза. Москва: Медгиз, 1959.

Минеев КП, Стэльмах КК. Лечение тяжелых повреждений таза и позвоночника. Ульяновск: Симбирская книга, 1996.

Неверов ВА, Шильников ВА. Обеспечение сохранности суставного хряща вертлужной впадины при эндопротезировании головки бедра. Диагностика и лечение повреждений крупных суставов. Санкт Петербург, 1991:72-75.

Перлин БЗ, Андриеш ВН, Бибикова ЛА. Иннервация тазобедренного сустава человека в норме и при туберкулезном коксите. Кишинев: Штиинца, 1977.

Ревенко ТА. Хирургическое лечение нарушений опороспособности бедра. Киев: Здоров’я, 1968.

Синельников Р.Д. Атлас анатомии человека. В 3-х томах. - Т.2. Москва: Медицина, 1973.

Соков ЛП, Романов МФ. Деформирующие артрозы крупных суставов: учеб. пособие. Москва: Изд-во УДН, 1991.

Тонков В. Анатомия человека. Общая часть. Система органов движения. Т.1. Ленинград: Медгиз, 1946

Шильников В. А. К вопросу об эндопротезировании тазобедренного сустав травматологии. Диагностика и лечение повреждений крупных суставов. Санкт Петербург, 1991.


Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, acetabular canal, anatomy, attachment


                                                                     

NB! Fair practice / use: copied for the purposes of criticism, review, comment, research and private study in accordance with Copyright Laws of the US: 17 U.S.C. §107; Copyright Law of the EU: Dir. 2001/29/EC, art.5/3a,d; Copyright Law of the RU: ГК РФ ст.1274/1.1-2,7





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS

  Translation of the article:   Архипов СВ. Новая техника проксимального крепления при реконструкции ligamentum capitis femoris: Дары волхвов ортопедическим хирургам. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2026АрхиповСВ .  A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction: The Gifts of the Magi for Orthopedic Surgeons S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland     CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Technique [v]   Discussion [vi]   Conclusion [vii]   Appendix [viii]   References [ix]   Structured Abstract [x]   Additional material [i]   Abstract An experimental technique for reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (ligamentum teres femoris) is described. The proposed method involves creating two portions of the ligament analog: a pubic portion and an ischial portion. Fixation of thes...
Post a Comment
Read more

IMPROVING POSTOPERATIVE COMFORT...

  Improving Postoperative Comfort and Increasing the Reliability of Hip Prostheses by Supplementing with Artificial Ligaments: Proof of Concept and Prototype Demonstration S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland       CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results and Discussion [v]   Static Tests [vi]   Dynamic Tests [vii]   Prototype Fabrication and Testing [viii]   Conclusion [ix]   References [x]   Application [i]   Abstract The principle of operation of an experimental total hip endoprosthesis augmented with ligament analogs has been demonstrated in single-leg vertical stances and at the mid-stance phase of the single-support period of gait. The experiments were conducted on a specially designed mechatronic testing rig. The concept of the important role of the ligamentous apparatus is further illustrated by a set of demonstrative mechanical models. The...
Post a Comment
Read more

NEWS 2026

New publications of our resource   in 2026 The initial phase of collecting data on LCF, accumulated prior to the 20th century, is largely complete. Next, we plan to analyze and synthesize thematic information, adding data from the 20th and 21st centuries. The work will focus primarily on: prevention, diagnosis, arthroscopy, plastic surgery, and endoprosthetics.  January 15, 2026 Tweet of January 15, 2026      A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation   (facebook) January 14, 2026 2026 ArkhipovSV.  THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS ( A Novel Technique for Proximal Fixation of Ligamentum Capitis Femoris Reconstruction ). January 05, 2026 2018YoussefAO The article describes a me thod for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation.   2007WengerD_OkaetR The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the LCF is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction i...
Post a Comment
Read more

1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Michaels G, Matles AL. The role of the ligamentum teres in congenital dislocation of the hip (1970). The authors proposed an analogy for the role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) as a “ball and chain control” and noted that it can spontaneously reduce congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL . [ii]   Original text Quote p. 199 Many papers in the literature have implicated the ligamentum teres as a hindrance to the late open reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip. Occasionally the ligamentum teres has been reported to be absent. However, in most cases it is hypertrophied and elongated. Our present knowledge confirms the fact that congenital dislocation of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

11th-15th Century

   11th-15th Century Catalog of archived publications of the specified period        11th century 976-1115Theophilus Protospatharius  The author writes about the  normal anatomy of the LCF and its connective function. 1012-1024Avicenna   The author writes about the localization and  variant of the pathology LCF, leading to hip dislocation. 1039-1065Giorgi Mtatsmindeli   The translator mentions the LCF damage, and notes its presence in animals. 12 th century 1120-1140Judah Halevi   The author mentions LCF (גיד) of mammals. 1176-1178(a)Rambam  The author mentions the pathology of LCF (גיד) in humans and points out the presence of this structure in animals. 1176-1178(b)Rambam  The author writes about the localization of LCF (גיד) ) and distinguishes it from a tendon,   blood vessel or nerve. 1185-1235David Kimchi  The author writes about the localization, purpose, and injury of the LCF (גיד), and also talks abo...
Post a Comment
Read more

2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF

  Article: Wenger DR et al. Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results (2008). The article describes a method of open reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) for hip dysplasia. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF . Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results   Wenger DR, Mubarak SJ, Henderson PC, Miyanji F   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Surgical technique & Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Purpose The ligamentum teres has primarily been considered as an obstruction to reduction in children with developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). In the ea...
Post a Comment
Read more

Catalog. Classifications of LCF Pathology

  The classifications are intended to systematize of ligamentum capitis femoris pathology and assist in the development of general approaches to its description, registration, analysis and treatment.   Keywords ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, hip joint, histology, pathological anatomy, pathology, trauma INTRODUCTION In Russia, the initial attempts to classify pathology of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) were made by morphologists. The development of arthroscopic surgery has made it possible to identify various, previously undescribed types of LCF pathology, which prompted the development of various modern classifications based on intraoperative observations. Analysis of literature data and our own morphological observations allowed us to propose a General Classification of the Ligamentum Teres Pathology, which has the form of a collection of classifiers, as well as a Classification of Functions of the Ligamentum Teres. The ...
Post a Comment
Read more

1834MitchellE_KnoxR

Description and drawings of the proximal attachment and blood supply of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) from book Mitchell E, Knox R. Engravings of the ligaments (1834 ). PLATE VI   PLATE VI. … 49. The round ligament of the hip-joint, which arises from the sinus in the bottom of the acetabulum and descends into the head of the femur. 50. A portion of it which is thinner and membranous. 51. Portion of a ligament which arises from the outer surface of the ischiatic cavity and surrounds its neck as far as the notch of the acetabulum; there however it makes its way into the acetabulum, passing under the arch of the cotyloid ligament. 52. Branch of the obturator artery. 53.   Two twigs which penetrate into the cotyloid cavity along with the ligament 51, to mingle with the round ligament.   PLATE VII PLATE VII. Fig. 1. … 19, 19. Remarkable glands, which are concealed in the sinus of the acetabulum. 20. Origin of the exterior ligament which arises fr...
Post a Comment
Read more

2018YoussefAO

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Youssef AO. Medial approach open reduction with ligamentum teres partial excision and plication for the management of congenital hip dislocation (2018). The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2018YoussefAO . [ii]   Original text Abstract Because of the known tendency for early redislocation following open reduction, we developed surgical methods for shortening the ligamentum teres to improve immediate postoperative stability when performing medial approach open reduction (MAOR) for the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip. Between 2004 and 2014, 32 patients w...
Post a Comment
Read more

1879TillauxPJ

  The author discusses the anatomy, topography, and role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). According to P.J. Tillaux, this structure "...is the retaining ligament; it prevents the head from being pressed in the upper part against the bottom of the acetabulum." Similar views were expressed earlier by 1820PallettaGB , 1857TurnerW , and 1874SavoryWS . The author does not deny that the LCF also serves as a conduit for vessels and nerves, supporting M.P.C.Sappey . At the same time, the priority of this view should be recognized for 1820PallettaGB .     Tillaux PJ. Traite d’anatomie topographique avec applications à la chirurgie. Deuxieme edition, Revue corrigée et augmentée. Deuxieme partie. Paris: P. Asselin, 1879. [fragments] Quote p. 936   Fig. 237. Coupe verticale de l'articulation coxo-fémorale passant par le milieu du ligament rond. LR, ligament rond. MO, portion de la membrane obturatrice. ...
Post a Comment
Read more