Ligamentum teres of the hip
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The ligamentum teres, also known as the ligamentum capitis femoris or round ligament of the hip, is an intra-articular ligament within the medial hip joint.
Gross anatomy
The ligament passes from the transverse ligament and acetabular notch of the acetabulum to the femoral head where it inserts into a shallow depression called the fovea capitis. The ligament is lined by synovium. It ranges from a well-formed structure in some patients to absent in others (see case 2).
Ligamentum teres classically is defined as originating from the Transverse Acetabular Ligament. More recent anatomical studies have shown a much more comprehensive set of six attachments4 to the Acetabulum.
- Superficial: Transverse Acetabular Ligament
-
Deep Attachments
- Posterior Attachment: Ischial margin of Acetabular Notch
- Anterior Attachment: Pubic Margin of Acetabular Notch
- Acetabular Fossa attachment to the Ilium, Ischium and Pubis
Function
In the infant it has a significant role as it transmits a nutrient artery to the femoral head epiphysis. In the adult, its role is poorly understood, and there are several hypothesised functions which include 2:
- maintains the upright position as it is tightest when erect and weight-bearing
- aids fine coordination of the hip joint
- additional hip
stabilizerstabiliser in patients withgeneralizedgeneralised ligamentous laxity, hip dysplasia and in patients with anteroinferior acetabular deficiency - maintains lubrication in the joint by aiding the distribution of synovial fluid
Anatomical variants
- congenital absence of the ligamentum teres 3
Related pathology
- ligament rupture or tear
- avulsion fracture of the fovea capitis (see case 3)
-<p>The <strong>ligamentum teres</strong>, also known as the<strong> ligamentum capitis femoris</strong> or <strong>round ligament of the hip</strong>, is an intra-articular ligament within the medial <a href="/articles/hip-joint-1">hip joint</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The ligament passes from the <a href="/articles/transverse-ligament-of-the-hip">transverse ligament</a> and <a href="/articles/acetabular-notch">acetabular notch</a> of the <a href="/articles/acetabulum">acetabulum</a> to the femoral head where it inserts into a shallow depression called the fovea capitis. The ligament is lined by synovium. It ranges from a well-formed structure in some patients to absent in others (see case 2).</p><h4>Function</h4><p>In the infant it has a significant role as it transmits a nutrient artery to the femoral head epiphysis. In the adult, its role is poorly understood, and there are several hypothesised functions which include <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p>The <strong>ligamentum teres</strong>, also known as the<strong> ligamentum capitis femoris</strong> or <strong>round ligament of the hip</strong>, is an intra-articular ligament within the medial <a href="/articles/hip-joint-1">hip joint</a>.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The ligament passes from the <a href="/articles/transverse-ligament-of-the-hip">transverse ligament</a> and <a href="/articles/acetabular-notch">acetabular notch</a> of the <a href="/articles/acetabulum">acetabulum</a> to the femoral head where it inserts into a shallow depression called the fovea capitis. The ligament is lined by synovium. It ranges from a well-formed structure in some patients to absent in others (see case 2).</p><p>Ligamentum teres classically is defined as originating from the Transverse Acetabular Ligament. More recent anatomical studies have shown a much more comprehensive set of six attachments<sup>4</sup> to the Acetabulum. </p><ul>
- +<li>Superficial: Transverse Acetabular Ligament</li>
- +<li>Deep Attachments<ul>
- +<li>Posterior Attachment: Ischial margin of Acetabular Notch </li>
- +<li>Anterior Attachment: Pubic Margin of Acetabular Notch </li>
- +<li>Acetabular Fossa attachment to the Ilium, Ischium and Pubis</li>
- +</ul>
- +</li>
- +</ul><h4>Function</h4><p>In the infant it has a significant role as it transmits a nutrient artery to the femoral head epiphysis. In the adult, its role is poorly understood, and there are several hypothesised functions which include <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
-<li>additional hip stabilizer in patients with generalized ligamentous laxity, hip dysplasia and in patients with anteroinferior acetabular deficiency</li>- +<li>additional hip stabiliser in patients with generalised ligamentous laxity, hip dysplasia and in patients with anteroinferior acetabular deficiency</li>
-<li><a title="Ligamentum teres injury" href="/articles/ligamentum-teres-injury">ligament rupture or tear</a></li>- +<li><a href="/articles/ligamentum-teres-injury">ligament rupture or tear</a></li>
References changed:
- 4. Mikula J, Slette E, Chahla J et al. Quantitative Anatomic Analysis of the Native Ligamentum Teres. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017;5(2):2325967117691480. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967117691480">doi:10.1177/2325967117691480</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28321426">Pubmed</a>
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