What is the hip bone called?
The hip bone is called the pelvis (os coxae). Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as each hip bone is a large, irregular bone formed by the fusion of three parts: ilium, ischium, and pubis. 'Pelvis' can mean either the whole bony ring or, loosely, the hip bone; modern texts usually call the single bone the 'hip bone' or 'os coxae'.
What it is
- Each hip bone is a large, irregular bone formed by the fusion of three parts: ilium, ischium, and pubis.
- The two hip bones together with the sacrum and coccyx form the bony pelvis.
- The socket for the head of the femur is called the acetabulum.
Where it is
- On each side of the lower trunk.
- Joins the sacrum behind and the other hip bone in front (at the pubic symphysis).
- Articulates with the femur at the hip joint.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
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