[Embryology of the human hip].

This description of the prenatal development of the hip joint is based on observations made in 126 spontaneously aborted human embryos and fetuses. Their gestational age varied between 6 weeks and term. Particular attention was paid to structures that can be recognized during the sonographic examination of the hip, be it during pregnancy or at the time of birth. At 6 weeks, the anlage of the hip joint is already visible. By the time the fetal period starts, all components of the hip joint are clearly recognizable. Serial sections allow the histomorphometric determination of the coverage of the femoral head.