Anterior superior iliac spine

Anterior superior iliac spine
The obturator membrane (anterior superior iliac spine visible in upper right of illustration)
Anterior superior iliac spine labeled second to bottom, right.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Spina iliaca anterior superior
TA98	A02.5.01.111
TA2	1327
FMA	49465
Anatomical terms of bone

The anterior superior iliac spine (abbreviated: ASIS) is a bony projection of the iliac bone and an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis, which provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle. The tensor fasciae latae muscle attaches about 5 cm away at the iliac tubercle.

The anterior superior iliac spine provides a clue in identifying some other clinical landmarks, including:

1. McBurney's point
2. Roser-Nélaton line
3. True leg length (see unequal leg length)

Etymology

A – Anterior (front, like the face)
S – Superior (towards the head, opposite to feet)
I – Iliac (Pelvis bone)
S – Spine

Additional images

• 
  Right hip bone. External surface.
• 
  Right hip bone. Internal surface.
• 
  The subcutaneous inguinal ring.
• 
  ASIS visible at top left, as the origin of several muscles.
• 
  Location of McBurney's point (1), which is located two thirds the distance from the umbilicus (2) to the anterior superior iliac spine (3).

See also

• Bone terminology
• Anatomical terms of location
• Ilium (bone)
• Human anatomical terms

External links

• Anatomy photo:17:os-0105 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center – "Major Joints of the Lower Extremity: Hip bone (lateral view)"
• Anatomy photo:35:os-0103 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center – "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Osteology and Surface Anatomy"
• "Anatomy diagram: 03281.000-3". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22.
• Diagram at Wayne State