HIP BONE
The hips bones make up the bulk of the pelvis. There are two hip bones in the body. Each hip bones comprises of half the pelvis. Although people think of the pelvis as a single bone, it is actually 3 bones fused together. The three bones which comprise the hip bone are Ilium (upper part), Ischium (on the back side), and the Pubis (in the front). These three bones are joined to each other at a cup shaped hollow called the acetabulum.
Ilium: The Ilium is the upper expanded plate-like part of the hip bone. The bone that is felt at the waist region on the side is actually the Ilium.
Ischium: The Ischium forms the lower and back part of the bone. The Ischium is the strongest of the three bones that form the hip bone.
Pubis: The pubis is the front part of the hip bone. The pubes of both the hip bones join together in the front forming pubic symphysis.
Published December 20, 2021
Function
It supports the weight of the body during standing, walking and running. Hip muscles connect with bone of the thigh and aid movement in three directions: forward and backward, left to right, and rotation around the thigh bone. The pelvis formed by joining of the two hip bones protects various organs like kidneys, reproductive organs, etc.
Disease/ Injury/ Fracture
Malformation of the bone can result in gait problems. The fracture of the hip bone or hip joint can be caused due to high energy trauma like car accidents.
Interesting facts
During pregnancy, these joints between the bones forming the hip loosen to allow the pelvis to expand so that it can accommodate the growing baby and the stress of labor and delivery.
