Topics

Topic

design image
Iliac tubercle

The iliac tubercle is a bony prominence located on the outer lip of the iliac crest, approximately 5 cm posterior to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). It represents the widest part of the iliac crest and serves as an important anatomical and surgical landmark.

It is the point of origin for the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle and provides attachment for the iliotibial tract (IT band). The iliac tubercle is also a palpable landmark used in determining the level of the L5 vertebra during clinical and radiological examination.

Clinically, the iliac tubercle is relevant in orthopedic surgery, hip arthroplasty, iliac crest bone grafting, and sports medicine, particularly in conditions involving the IT band and hip stabilizers.

Synonyms

  • Tubercle of the iliac crest

  • Tensor fasciae latae tubercle

  • Iliac crest prominence

Function

  • Serves as the origin of the tensor fasciae latae muscle

  • Provides attachment for the iliotibial tract, important for lateral stability of the hip and knee

  • Functions as a surface landmark for L5 vertebral level in clinical practice

  • Acts as a surgical landmark in pelvic and spinal procedures

Nerve Supply

  • Overlying skin: lateral cutaneous branch of iliohypogastric nerve and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve

  • Muscular attachment (TFL): superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1)

Arterial Supply

  • Superior gluteal artery (branch of internal iliac artery)

  • Contributions from iliolumbar and deep circumflex iliac arteries

Venous Drainage

  • Follows arterial supply, draining into the internal iliac vein and external iliac vein via circumflex iliac tributaries

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone appears very low signal (dark); adjacent marrow shows intermediate signal intensity

  • TFL and IT band attachments are visible as low-signal tendinous structures

T2-weighted images:

  • Bone cortex remains dark, marrow shows variable intermediate signal

  • Edema, inflammation, or enthesopathy around iliac tubercle appears hyperintense

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat signal, making bone marrow edema, enthesitis, or soft tissue injury clearly visible

  • Sensitive for stress reactions or overuse injuries

T1 Fat-Saturated Post-Contrast:

  • Normal bone marrow shows mild enhancement

  • Pathologies such as enthesitis, tumors, or infection show focal enhancement at iliac tubercle

  • Useful in evaluating soft tissue attachments and periosteal reactions

MRI Non-Contrast 3D Imaging:

  • Provides clear 3D reconstructions of the iliac crest and iliac tubercle

  • Useful for surgical planning in bone grafting and orthopedic procedures

CT Appearance

CT Pre-Contrast:

  • Iliac tubercle visualized as a bony prominence on outer lip of iliac crest

  • Excellent for assessing cortical detail, fractures, or surgical landmarks

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Contrast does not enhance cortical bone but may highlight surrounding soft tissue inflammation, vascular supply, or tumors

  • Useful in trauma evaluation, infection, or tumor staging

  • 3D reconstructions highlight iliac tubercle’s relation to pelvis and spine

CT image

Iliac tubercle CT axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000

MRI image

Iliac tubercle MRI axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000

CT VRT image

Iliac tubercle CT VRT