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Acetabular notch

The acetabular notch is the inferior, non-articular gap in the acetabular rim of the hip bone. It forms an incomplete portion of the acetabulum and is bridged by the transverse acetabular ligament, converting it into a foramen through which vessels and nerves enter the hip joint.

It serves as a crucial anatomical gateway for the acetabular branch of the obturator artery, fat, synovium, and ligamentum teres-related structures. Functionally, the notch contributes to the stability, vascular supply, and biomechanical integrity of the acetabulum, especially in weight transmission from the femoral head to the pelvis.

Location and Structure

  • Located at the inferior aspect of the acetabulum, forming an open gap in the bony rim

  • Composed of rough, non-articular bone connecting the anterior and posterior acetabular horns

  • Continuous with the acetabular fossa superiorly

  • Bridged by the transverse acetabular ligament, converting the notch into a passageway

MRI images

Acetabular notch MRI axial image-img-00000-00000

CT images

Acetabular notch CT

CT VRT 3D image

Acetabular notch 3D