ABSTRACT
Background: The iliopectineal ligament is the most stout anterior part of the iliopectineal membrane. It separates“lacuna musculorum” laterally from “lacuna vasorum” medially. This ligament is an important guide in the safeanterior approach to the acetabulum.Aim of the work: To study the detailed anatomy of the iliopectineal ligament demonstrating its importance as asurgical landmark in the anterior approach to the acetabulum.Material and methods: The material of this work included eight adult formalin preserved cadavers. Dissection ofthe groin was done for each cadaver in supine position with exposure of the inguinal ligament. The iliopectinealligament and the three surgical windows in the anterior approach to the acetabulum were revealed.Results: Results described the detailed morphological anatomy of the iliopectineal ligament as regard its thickness,attachments and variations in its thickness. The study also revealed important anatomical measurements inrelation to the inguinal ligament. The distance between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the pubictubercle ranged from 6.7 to 10.1 cm with a mean value of 8.31±1.3. The distance between the anterior superioriliac spine (ASIS) to the blending point of the iliopectineal ligament to the inguinal ligament ranged from 1.55 to1.92 cm with a mean value of 1.78±0.15.Conclusion: The iliopectineal ligament detailed morphology and attachments are crucial when planning to doanterior approach of the acetabulum to decrease incidence of iatrogenic injury to the femoral vessels.