EMBRYOLOGY OF THE HUMAN HIP-JOINT

This description of the prenatal development of the hip joint is based on observations made in 126 spontaneously aborted human embryos and f etuses. Their gestational age varied between 6 weeks and term. Particu lar attention was paid to structures that can be recognized during the sonographic examination of the hip, be it during pregnancy or at the time of birth. At 6 weeks, the anlage of the hip joint is already visi ble. By the time the fetal period starts, all components of the hip jo int are clearly recognizable. Serial sections allow the histomorphomet ric determination of the coverage of the femoral head.