Ilium Flashcards

Study the ilium's anatomical structure, iliac crest, spines, gluteal lines, muscle attachments, articulations, and clinical landmarks.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the ilium?

The largest and most superior of the three bones that form the hip bone.

In This Section

1. What is the ilium?

The largest and most superior of the three bones that form the hip bone.

2. What are the two principal anatomical parts of the ilium?

The body and the ala, or wing.

3. Which part of the ilium contributes to the acetabulum?

The body of the ilium, which forms the superior portion of the acetabulum.

4. What is the ala of the ilium?

The broad, flattened wing extending superiorly from the iliac body.

5. What is the iliac crest?

The curved superior border of the iliac wing.

6. Between which two bony landmarks does the iliac crest extend?

The anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine.

7. Which vertebral level approximately corresponds to the highest points of the iliac crests?

The L4 vertebral level, commonly near the L4 spinous process or L4-L5 interspace.

8. What is the iliac tubercle?

A prominence on the outer lip of the iliac crest, near the junction of its anterior and middle thirds.

9. Which muscle originates from the anterior superior iliac spine?

The sartorius muscle.

10. Which ligament attaches to the anterior superior iliac spine?

The inguinal ligament.

11. Which muscle originates from the anterior inferior iliac spine?

The straight head of the rectus femoris muscle.

12. Where is the posterior superior iliac spine located?

At the posterior end of the iliac crest, above the posterior inferior iliac spine.

13. Which surface landmark commonly corresponds to the posterior superior iliac spine?

The skin dimple near the posterior pelvis, often called the dimple of Venus.

14. Which sciatic notch lies inferior to the posterior inferior iliac spine?

The greater sciatic notch.

15. What is the iliac fossa?

A broad, concave depression on the internal surface of the iliac wing.

16. Which muscle originates from the iliac fossa?

The iliacus muscle.

17. What are the three gluteal lines on the external surface of the ilium?

The posterior, anterior, and inferior gluteal lines.

18. Which muscle originates from the ilium posterior to the posterior gluteal line?

The gluteus maximus muscle.

19. Which muscle originates from the ilium between the posterior and anterior gluteal lines?

The gluteus medius muscle.

20. Which muscle originates from the ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines?

The gluteus minimus muscle.

21. What is the auricular surface of the ilium?

An ear-shaped articular surface on the medial ilium that articulates with the sacrum.

22. What type of joint is formed between the auricular surfaces of the ilium and sacrum?

The sacroiliac joint, which has a synovial anterior portion and strong posterior ligamentous connections.

23. What is the iliac tuberosity?

A roughened region posterior and superior to the auricular surface for strong sacroiliac ligament attachments.

24. Which ligament attaches strongly to the iliac tuberosity?

The interosseous sacroiliac ligament.

25. What is the arcuate line of the ilium?

A smooth curved ridge on the medial ilium that forms part of the pelvic brim.

26. What is the significance of the arcuate line in pelvic anatomy?

It contributes to the boundary between the greater and lesser pelvis.

27. Which abdominal wall muscles attach to the iliac crest?

The external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles.

28. Which posterior trunk muscle attaches to the posterior iliac crest?

The quadratus lumborum muscle.

29. Why is the iliac crest commonly used as a bone graft donor site?

It provides accessible cancellous and cortical bone for grafting procedures.

30. Why is the posterior iliac crest commonly used for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy?

It provides a relatively accessible site containing abundant hematopoietic marrow.