Joints and ligaments · Lower limb
Ischiofemoral ligament !
The ischiofemoral ligament is the band reinforcing the back of the hip capsule; it limits the thigh turning inward.
Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.
What it is
A ligament at the back of the hip capsule, from the ischium (sitting bone) to the femur.
What it does
Limits the thigh turning inward and helps hold the ball in the socket.
Key facts
- Attaches
- Ischium behind acetabulum, spiraling up and laterally to femoral neck near greater trochanter
- Function
- Weakest of the three; limits internal rotation and extension
- Tight in
- Hip internal rotation and extension
Relations
- Behind
- Short external rotators: piriformis above, obturator internus with the gemelli, quadratus femoris below; the sciatic nerve lies further back
- Deep
- Femoral head and neck
- Below
- Obturator externus tendon, winding behind the femoral neck
How to find it
Seen in the posterior approach to the hip: after the short external rotators are detached from the greater trochanter, its fibres run from the ischium just below and behind the acetabulum to the back of the femoral neck.
On imaging
MRI shows the posterior capsule and the ischiofemoral space; in ischiofemoral impingement the space between ischium and lesser trochanter is narrowed and quadratus femoris shows oedema.
Clinical notes
- In the posterior approach to the hip the short rotators and posterior capsule, including this ligament, are detached; repairing them lowers the risk of dislocation
- Posterior hip dislocation tears the posterior capsule and may injure the sciatic nerve behind it
- Ischiofemoral impingement compresses quadratus femoris and can irritate the nearby sciatic nerve
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What makes the ischiofemoral ligament unique among the three hip capsular ligaments?
It is the only one on the back of the hip, and the weakest; its fibres spiral up and laterally to the femoral neck.
Which hip movements tighten the ischiofemoral ligament?
Internal rotation and extension of the hip.
Why are the posterior capsule and ischiofemoral ligament repaired after a posterior hip approach?
Repairing them with the short rotators lowers the risk of dislocation.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- ligamentum ischiofemorale TA2 1878
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Ligamento isquiofemoral
- English (TA2)
- Ischiofemoral ligament
- Also called
- ligamentum ischiocapsulare
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hip Joint; 9.6 Anatomy of Selected Synovial Joints (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, CC BY 4.0; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Coxal Articulation or Hip-joint (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain.
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.
