The hip joint, also known as the coxofemoral joint, is responsible for joining your torso with your lower limbs and helping to support your weight when standing and moving. Being a joint, the hip actually consists of two bones and is found within a fibrous capsule lined by a synovial membrane, which allows the two bones to work seamlessly together.
If you're wondering what the hip bone is called keep reading, because this OneHowTo article will explain it in detail.
There is not just one hip bone
Since the hip is a joint and not actually a single bone, it relies on two different bones which work together in order to enable your correct mobility and balance. This, in turn, allows for the adequate stabilization of your body weight.
The hip bones are:
- The coxal bone - also called the pelvic, hip or innominate bone - which in humans is composed of three different bones. Those are the ilium bone, the pubis bone and the ischium bone. It includes a highly important joint area, the acetabulum or cotyloid cavity. This area is covered in cartilage and marks where the head of the femur - or femoral head - fits in, allowing both bones to articulate properly and move freely.
- The femur is the strongest and longest bone in your body, and justifiably so because it forms not only part of the hip joint but also the knee joint. The femoral head is the section of this bone which forms part of the hip, fitting into the acetabulum to facilitate movement.
How to care for your hip bones
With the passing of years, and also as a result of certain conditions such as obesity, injury or repeatedly performing impact sports, our hip bones may weaken and we may start developing joint problems. Since our hips are a key area for movements such as flexion, abduction, adduction or rotation, it is therefore advisable to do our best to keep it in good condition.
- Follow a good diet which includes all required vitamins and minerals. Regarding bones, it is essential to have a good calcium intake, since it is an important mineral to keep them strong. Make sure you also have enough vitamin D in your diet, which helps calcium assimilate.
- Maintain an appropriate weight based on your height and age. This is very important because, by doing so, you won't overload this important joint.
- Perform physical activity to maintain strong muscles and healthy joints. It is preferable to limit impact activities and go for softer ones such as swimming, biking, walking, using the elliptical trainer, etc. It is recommended that you are active for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Don't abuse heels, since they can affect proper back posture which can in turn have repercussions on joints such as the hip and knees.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to a progressive deterioration of your musculoskeletal health.
It's not enough to know what is the hip bone called, you also must take care of it!
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