Plain radiography

Plain radiography demonstrates osseous anatomy and provides some detail of the soft tissue anatomy.

Cross-sectional imaging

CT

Multi-slice CT allows high-resolution 3D reconstructions of the lower limb that enable exceptional visualization of the bony anatomy. Soft tissues including muscles, tendons and joints can also be identified but these are optimally assessed with sonography and MR imaging.

Sonography

Sonography allows high spatial resolution and dynamic imaging of the soft tissues not obscured by osseous structures. It is particularly optimal for visualization of small and superficial structures (ligaments, tendons) as well as muscle compartments and the neonatal/infant hip.

MRI

MR imaging offers high contrast resolution imaging of the musculoskeletal anatomy. Intra-articular structures are optimally assessed on MR arthrography.

The pelvis

Bone anatomy

Adult pelvis

The pelvic bone is composed of three parts; the ilium, ischium and pubis. These meet at the triradiate cartilage, seen as a lucency within the acetabulum in the immature skeleton (Figs. 16.1– 16.3).