The transverse acetabular ligament converts the acetabular notch into a foramen, completing the acetabular rim. Which important neurovascular structure passes through this foramen into the joint?

• A Sciatic nerve entering the hip joint capsule
• B Artery to the head of femur (branch of obturator artery) and accompanying nerve fibers ✓
• C Femoral nerve entering the deep aspect of the joint
• D Obturator nerve giving articular branches to femoral head

Explanation

The transverse acetabular ligament bridges the acetabular notch, converting it into a foramen through which the artery to the head of the femur (a branch of the posterior division of the obturator artery, supplemented by a branch from the medial circumflex femoral artery) and the nerve to the acetabulum pass. This artery travels in the ligamentum teres. In children, this is the primary blood supply to the femoral head; disruption causes avascular necrosis (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease). The sciatic and femoral nerves do not enter the joint.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.