Acetabular labrum

Looks like

A ring of firm cartilage around the rim of the hip socket, deepening it like a rubber seal.

What it does

Deepens the socket, seals in joint fluid and steadies the ball of the femur.

Keeping it well

Tears come from twisting sports or a misshapen hip; groin pain with clicking or catching is typical. Physiotherapy first, keyhole surgery if it fails.

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins