Zona orbicularis
Capsule of hip-joint (distended). Posterior aspect. (Zona orbicularis labeled at center bottom.)
Latin	zona orbicularis articulationis coxae
Gray's	subject #92 334

The zona orbicularis or annular ligament is a ligament on the neck of the femur formed by the circular fibers of the articular capsule of the hip joint. It is also known as the orbicular zone, ring ligament, and zonular band.^[1]

Structure[link]

The articular capsule is much thicker above and in front of the joint, where the greatest amount of resistance is required, and thin and loose behind and below the joint. The capsule consists of two sets of fibers, circular and longitudinal. The circular fibers, the zona orbicularis, are most abundant at the lower and back part of the capsule where they form a sling or collar around the femoral neck. Anteriorly they blend with the deep surface of the iliofemoral ligament, and gain an attachment to the anterior inferior iliac spine. ^[2]

Function[link]

The zona orbicularis and proximal hip joint capsule are poorly understood, but recent studies seem to confirm that the proximal to middle part of the articular capsule, including the zona orbicularis, acts biomechanically as a locking ring wrapped around the femoral neck and thus is a key structure for hip stability in distraction. ^[3]

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Gray, Henry (1918). "7. Articulations of the Lower Extremity. a. Coxal Articulation or Hip-joint". Anatomy of the Human Body. Bartleby. http://www.bartleby.com/107/92.html. 
• Ito H, Song Y, Lindsey DP, Safran MR, Giori NJ. (January 2009). The proximal hip joint capsule and the zona orbicularis contribute to hip joint stability in distraction. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asahikawa Medical College. PMID 19148941.  (Abstract)

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

Additional images[link]

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  Front view of hip joint with capsular ligament largely removed

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