Pain in any part of the body is distressing and it is true with the abdomen. Abdomen is a vital organ consisting of stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, intestine (small and large), kidneys and bladder. Any disturbance or disruption of normal functions in these organs can cause considerable pain in the abdomen. Abdominal pain largely gets resolved within short duration. However there are occasions when conditions are serious and pain is intense. Appendicitis is the term that comes to our mind if there is intensifying pain in the right side of the abdomen. That is not the case all the time and there are instances where pain may resemble that of appendicitis. Hence it is good that we understand about the nature of pain in the right hip region, its causes and available treatment.
Hip Region and Its Organs :
Femur bone (thigh bone) and the pelvic bone fuse together at the hip region. Hip joint is formed with the femur and 3 other bones namely, the ilium, the ischium and the pubis. It is ball and socket shaped and is vulnerable of dislocation during a fall or injury. The femur bone has a ball shaped knob at the anterior end that sits on a socket formed by the fusion of hipbone. Articular cartilage would form a cushion like layer on the femoral head which is kept lubricated by the fluid made from the joint lining called synovial membrane. Only due to the presence of cartilage the bone movement is flexible. In addition to this there are ligaments, muscles and tendons that hold the bones intact thus preventing dislocation.
Often the pelvic bones are referred as hip region and more particularly the ilium (uppermost part) or iliac crest is known as hip. Some of the organs present in the right lower quadrant are :
- Vermiform appendix
- Cecum of large intestine
- Colon (ascending portion)
- Right ureter
- Right ovary with fallopian tubes (women)