Iliac fossa
Fossa iliaca
Definition
The iliac fossa is the concave inner surface of the ala of the ilium. Its boundaries include:
Anteriorly → anterior border of the ilium
Superiorly → iliac crest
Posteriorly → medial border of the ilium, which separates the iliac fossa from the sacropelvic surface below.
The upper portion of the iliac fossa serves as the origin of the iliacus muscle, while the lower section is covered by an iliac bursa that prevents friction between the iliacus tendon and the iliac bone.
The iliac fossa contributes to the lateral wall of the false pelvis. The right iliac fossa accommodates the caecum, appendix, and ileocaecal junction, while the left iliac fossa contains parts of the descending and sigmoid colons.
References
Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2023 IMAIOS.-+
Standring, S. and Gray, H. (2016). ‘Chapter 80: Pelvic girdle, gluteal region and thigh’ in Gray’s anatomy The anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. (41st ed.) New York: Elsevier, pp. 1341-1343.
