This article is part of a series that will describe how various parts of your body move. Knowing these basics will help you become aware of your movements and move better.
The topic today is your hip joint. The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. It supports your body weight while you are standing, walking, or running. The hip joints help you move and help you maintain your balance.
The hip joint is where your thighbone (femur) meets your pelvis to form a ball-and-socket joint. The hip joint consists of two main parts: the acetabulum and the femur.
The acetabulum is a cup-like depression on the side of the pelvic bone. It can vary in width, depth, and orientation.
The round head of the femur nestles into the acetabulum to form your hip joint. It rotates and glides within the acetabulum. The femur head is attached to the femur shaft by the femur neck.