1. Ventral view

Figure 1. Ventral view, transverse plane. T: rectus femoris tendon

Transverse ultrasound section of the anterior thigh showing the superficially located sartorius muscle, running obliquely from lateral to medial, and the deeper rectus femoris muscle. Within its muscle belly, the central tendon (T) is visible, which appears as a hyperechoic linear structure and becomes more clearly demarcated in its deeper course toward the insertion. This projection is important for evaluating the myotendinous junction of the rectus femoris and for detecting muscle overuse, strain, or tendinopathy.

Figure 2. Ventral view, transverse plane.

Transverse ultrasound section of the anterior part of the hip joint. Superficially, the m. sartorius is visible, with the deeper m. iliopsoas below it, under which the joint capsule is shown adjacent to the anterior contour of the femur, which forms the main bony landmark of this projection. This projection is essential for evaluating the anterior recess of the hip joint, particularly for detecting joint effusion, synovitis, and pathology in the area of the m. iliopsoas.

Figure 3. Ventral view, transverse plane. T: rectus femoris muscle tendon, SIAI: spina iliaca anterior inferior

Transverse ultrasound section of the anterior hip region showing the direct tendon of the rectus femoris muscle (T) at its attachment site on the spina iliaca anterior inferior (SIAI). The SIAI is visible as a bony prominence with the adjacent hyperechoic fibrillar tendon, while the sartorius and iliopsoas muscles may also be simultaneously visualized in the surrounding area as important soft tissue landmarks. This projection is essential for evaluating the rectus femoris muscle attachment and for detecting apophyseal injuries, avulsion fractures, and tendinopathy in this region, particularly in athletically active individuals.

Figure 4. Ventral view, oblique plane. IFL: iliofemoral ligament, A: acetabulum, L: labrum, RF: rectus femoris muscle

Oblique ultrasound section through the anterior part of the hip joint showing the femoroacetabular articulation. The femoral head is visible in articulation with the acetabulum (A), on whose anterior rim the acetabular labrum (L) can be visualized as a triangular structure overlying the bony contour; superficially, the iliofemoral ligament (IFL) is also visible, along with surrounding soft tissue landmarks, particularly the rectus femoris muscle (RF), sartorius muscle, and iliopsoas muscle. This projection is essential for assessing labral integrity, anterior joint congruence, and signs of femoroacetabular impingement.

Figure 5. Ventral view, oblique plane. IFL: iliofemoral ligament

Oblique ultrasound section through the anterior part of the hip joint taken more distally, showing the anterior joint recess in the region of the femoral head. Beneath the superficially located muscles, particularly the rectus femoris, sartorius, and iliopsoas muscles, the joint capsule is visible, and beneath it runs the iliofemoral ligament (IFL), which appears as a hyperechoic band adjacent to the anterior contour of the femur. This projection is crucial for evaluating joint effusion, synovitis, and thickening of the anterior capsule or iliofemoral ligament in inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the hip joint.