Pubofemoral ligament
Ligamentum pubofemorale
A band on the lower front of the hip capsule, running from the pubis to the capsule and the iliofemoral ligament.
At a glance
- English
- Pubofemoral ligament
- Latin (TA2)
- Ligamentum pubofemorale
- System
- Ligament
- Region
- Lower limb
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the pubofemoral ligament
The pubofemoral ligament is one of three ligaments that thicken the fibrous capsule of the hip joint. It strengthens the lower and front part of the capsule, between the iliofemoral ligament in front and the ischiofemoral ligament behind. It is the smallest of the three.
Its fibres arise from the pubic part of the hip bone: from the obturator crest, the ridge along the front of the obturator foramen, and from the adjacent upper ramus of the pubis, close to the iliopubic eminence. They run laterally and downwards beneath the femoral neck. Rather than reaching the femur on their own, they merge into the capsule and into the underside of the iliofemoral ligament's medial band.
Like the other capsular ligaments, its fibres follow a spiral course, so they become taut as the hip straightens. The pubofemoral ligament is the chief check on excessive abduction, the movement of the thigh away from the midline, and it also helps to limit extension and external rotation.
Between the pubofemoral and the iliofemoral ligament there is a thin area of capsule over which the iliopsoas tendon passes. Here the iliopectineal bursa lies against the joint and sometimes communicates with it, so a hip effusion may extend into the bursa. A second weak area lies below, between the pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments. Forced abduction and external rotation can drive the femoral head through the lower front of the capsule, causing the less common anterior dislocation of the hip.
Attachments and function
- Attaches from
- The obturator crest and the adjoining upper ramus of the pubis.
- Attaches to
- The lower part of the hip capsule, merging with the underside of the iliofemoral ligament's medial band.
- Function
- Limits excessive abduction of the hip and helps restrain extension and external rotation.
- Nerve supply
- Articular branches of the obturator nerve.
- Blood supply
- Branches of the obturator and medial circumflex femoral arteries.
Anthromica
See the pubofemoral ligament where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
