Ilium

Author: Sara Ferreira, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

The ilium is one of the three bony components of the hip bone, which is the main bone of the pelvis. The ilium forms the most superior and largest part of the hip bone.

It has a smaller lower part, which contributes to the formation of the acetabulum, and an expanded fan-shaped upper part (or wing), which provides support for the lower abdomen (or false pelvis).

The other two components of the hip bone are the ischium, which forms the posterior and inferior part, and the pubis (or pubic bone), which is located anteriorly. The three components of the hip bone are united at the acetabulum.

Terminology	English: Ilium Latin: Os ilium, ilium Synonym: Iliac bone
Definition	The widest and most superior component of the hip bone

Learn everything about the bones of the pelvis with the following study unit!

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell WMA. Gray’s anatomy for students. 4th ed. 2020.

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