In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa" in medical terminology) refer to either an anatomical region or a joint.
The hip region is located lateral to the gluteal region (i. e. the buttock), inferior to the iliac crest, and overlying the greater trochanter of the femur, or "thigh bone". In adults, three of the bones of the pelvis have fused into the hip bone which forms part of the hip region.
The hip joint, scientifically referred to as the acetabulofemoral joint (art. coxae), is the joint between the femur and acetabulum of the pelvis and its primary function is to support the weight of the body in both static (e. g. standing) and dynamic (e. g. walking or running) postures. The hip joints are the most important part in retaining balance. The pelvic inclination angle, which is the single most important element of human body posture, is adjusted at the hips.
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Famous quotes containing the word hip:
“I stir my martinis with the screw,
four-inch and stainless steel,
and think of my hip where it lay
for four years like a darkness.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)
“He’s a man who shoots from the hip. And a man who’s hip when he shoots.”
—Jeremy Larner, U.S. screenwriter. Banquet master of ceremonies (Pat Harrington, Jr.)
“Rituals are important. Nowadays it’s hip not to be married. I’m not interested in being hip.”
—John Lennon (1940–1980)