In cases of chronic, degenerative diseases of the canine hip joint, a
denervation of the hip joint capsule has been considered a suitable pa
lliative therapy, and it has been recommended by veterinary medical cl
inicians. Consequently, there is some demand for a detailed topographi
c demonstration of those nerve branches that reach the hip joint caspu
le. Therefore, the anatomical situation is presented in macroscopic-an
atomical specimens from adult, male or female dogs. The innervation of
the canine hip joint capsule is facilitated by branches from four big
nerves: One branch from each of N. glutaeus cranialis, N. ischiadicus
, N. femoralis, N. obturatorius reach the hip joint capsule at the lat
eral, caudolateral, craniomedial, caudomedial side, respectively. Thus
, there is nerve supply for the capsule's entire circumference.