Anterior wall of acetabulum

The anterior wall of the acetabulum is formed by the pubic portion of the acetabulum. This structure constitutes the anterior margin of the acetabular fossa and extends from the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) superiorly to the superior ramus of the pubis inferiorly. The anterior wall is composed of cortical bone and is covered by articular cartilage on its intra-articular surface, contributing to the lunate surface of the acetabulum. The anterior wall is separated from the posterior wall by the acetabular fossa, which is located slightly anterior to the true center of the acetabulum.

The anterior wall is also closely associated with important soft tissue attachments, including the origin of the direct head of the rectus femoris at the anterior inferior iliac spine and the attachment of the hip joint capsule, which is particularly wide and fibrocartilaginous at the inferior edge of the AIIS, reflecting adaptation to mechanical stress.

The anterior wall forms the anterior rim of the acetabulum, which is a critical landmark in both imaging and surgical approaches, and is the site of atypical anterior wall fractures that may involve the rim without the pelvic brim.