Lower limb

Hip joint capsule

Capsula articularis coxae

Origin

Acetabular rim just proximal to labrum and transverse acetabular ligament

Insertion

Intertrochanteric line anteriorly, and 1 cm proximal to intertrochanteric crest posteriorly on femur

Function

Strongest joint capsule in the body; encloses femoral head/neck and houses critical ascending retinacular arteries

Innervation

Femoral, obturator, and sciatic nerves (Hilton's law)

Movement & chain

Close-packed position in full extension, slight abduction, and internal rotation

Palpation

Deep structure, non-palpable

Clinical

Adhesive capsulitis/stiffness in hip osteoarthritis (capsular pattern: internal rotation > flexion > abduction); intracapsular femoral neck fractures risking avascular necrosis (AVN).

Segmental innervation

L2–S1

In clinical practice

Manual long-axis hip distraction, capsular stretching, and post-total hip arthroplasty (THA) rehabilitation

Region in the model

Lower limb