Anterior inferior iliac spine
Hip bone protrusion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) is a bony eminence on the anterior border of the hip bone, or, more precisely, the wing of the ilium.
| Anterior inferior iliac spine | |
|---|---|
The obturator externus muscle (anterior inferior iliac spine visible in upper right) | |
 Right hip-joint from the front (anterior inferior iliac spine visible at upper left) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | spina iliaca anterior inferior |
| TA98 | A02.5.01.112 |
| TA2 | 1328 |
| FMA | 63614 |
| Anatomical terms of bone | |
Structure
The AIIS is a bony eminence on the anterior border of the ilium. It is below the anterior superior iliac spine.
Development
The AIIS is formed from a separate ossification centre to the rest of the ilium.[1]
Function
The upper portion of the spine gives origin to the straight head of the rectus femoris muscle.[1] A teardrop-shaped lower portion gives origin to the iliofemoral ligament of the hip joint and borders the rim of the acetabulum.[1]
Anteromedially and inferiorly to the AIIS is the iliopsoas groove, the passage for the iliopsoas muscle as it passes down to the lesser trochanter of the femur. A vague line, the inferior gluteal line, might run from the AIIS to the greater sciatic notch which delineates the inferior extent of the origin of gluteus minimus muscle.[1]
Clinical significance
Rectus femoris muscle may avulse from the AIIS with significant mechanical stress.[2] This may be surgically reattached.[2]
Additional images
Hip joint. Lateral view. Anterior inferior iliac spine visible to the left.
