title: Unusual facets on the acetabulum in dry adult human coxal bones: a morphological and radiological study.
abstract: A smooth facet was found antero-inferior to lunate surface of 48 acetabula, in a study conducted on 315 dry adult coxal bones, 26 of which (13 pairs) were of articulated pelves. Three different shapes of the facet were oval (56.3%), piriform (22.9%) and elongated (20.8%). The prevalence of the oval facet was higher in both sexes. In 37.5% bones it extended to superior ramus of pubis and in 62.5% it was limited within the acetabular margin. They were either discrete (58.3%) or continuous with the lunate surface (41.7%). The surface configuration was flat (29.2%), concave (43.7%) or grooved (27.1%). One male articulated pelvis showed a bilateral presentation. Measured along the long axis the size varied between 11 to 17 mm. The radiographs showed notching, antero-inferior to acetabular margin in grooved facets whereas concave and flat facets were seen as areas of rarefaction. It is postulated that this facet could be a consequence of a particular posture which results in traction of the ligaments attached to this area. This unusual feature has not been reported earlier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi 110001, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Choudhry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tuli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choudhry
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors