Meaning & use
iliac spine
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablemedical
One of the bony points on the ilium, the upper part of the hip bone, where muscles and ligaments attach.
Grammar: Usually named with anterior or posterior: the anterior superior iliac spine.
Patterns
- the anterior iliac spine
- the posterior iliac spine
The nurse measured from the iliac spine to the ankle to check leg length.
He felt a sharp pain near the iliac spine after the sprint.
The surgeon marked the iliac spine before making the incision.
Word forms
| plural | iliac spines |
|---|
Common combinations
- anterior superior iliac spine
- The tailor sometimes uses the anterior superior iliac spine as a measuring point.
- posterior iliac spine
- The posterior iliac spine sits near the base of the back.
- fracture of the iliac spine
- A fracture of the iliac spine can happen in young athletes.
- palpate the iliac spine
- The therapist palpated the iliac spine to check hip alignment.
- avulsion of the iliac spine
- The scan showed an avulsion of the iliac spine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hip bone point
- This everyday phrase is vague and informal, while iliac spine names an exact anatomical landmark.
- pelvic spine
- Pelvic spine is not a standard term, and could be confused with the lower back, so doctors prefer iliac spine.
Word family
Commonly confused: iliac spine or spine? iliac spine or ileum?
iliac spine vs spine
The spine usually means the backbone, while the iliac spine is a bony point on the pelvis and not part of the backbone.
iliac spine vs ileum
The ileum is part of the small intestine, whereas the ilium is the hip bone; they sound the same but are spelled differently.
Practice
Where would you find the iliac spine?
Choose one answer.
The iliac spine is a bony point on the ilium of the pelvis. 'Spine' may tempt you toward the neck or backbone, but it is not part of the vertebral column.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “iliac spine”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.