Ilium

The ilium is a paired bone of the pelvic skeleton, and the uppermost and largest part of the hip bone.

Each ilium has two parts:

  • Body of the ilium - the central portion situated near the acetabulum. It contributes to forming around 1/3 of the acetabulum, also forming part of the acetabular fossa. The internal surface of the body of the ilium forms part of the lesser pelvis and serves as the origin site of some fibers of the obturator internus muscle.
  • Wing of the ilium - the large expanded portion of the ilium. The wings of the ilium bound the greater pelvis laterally.

The ilium also presents several important landmarks, such as the: