Anterior superior iliac spine

The anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest

Iliac crest

The crest of the ilium is the superior border of the wing of ilium and the superolateral margin of the greater pelvis.-Anatomy:...

 of the pelvis

Pelvis

In human anatomy, the pelvis is the part of the trunk inferioposterior to the abdomen in the transition area between the trunk and the lower limbs...

, which provides attachment for the inguinal ligament

Inguinal ligament

The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.-Anatomy:...

, the sartorius muscle

Sartorius muscle

The Sartorius muscle is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh. It is the longest muscle in the human body. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.-Origin and insertion:...

, and the tensor fasciae latae

Tensor fasciae latae

The tensor fasciae latae or tensor fasciæ latæ is a muscle of the thigh.-Origin and insertion:It arises from the anterior part of the outer lip of the iliac crest; from the outer surface of the anterior superior iliac spine, and part of the outer border of the notch below it, between the gluteus...

.

The anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest

Iliac crest

The crest of the ilium is the superior border of the wing of ilium and the superolateral margin of the greater pelvis.-Anatomy:...

 of the pelvis

Pelvis

In human anatomy, the pelvis is the part of the trunk inferioposterior to the abdomen in the transition area between the trunk and the lower limbs...

, which provides attachment for the inguinal ligament

Inguinal ligament

The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.-Anatomy:...

, the sartorius muscle

Sartorius muscle

The Sartorius muscle is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh. It is the longest muscle in the human body. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.-Origin and insertion:...

, and the tensor fasciae latae

Tensor fasciae latae

The tensor fasciae latae or tensor fasciæ latæ is a muscle of the thigh.-Origin and insertion:It arises from the anterior part of the outer lip of the iliac crest; from the outer surface of the anterior superior iliac spine, and part of the outer border of the notch below it, between the gluteus...

.

ASIS provides a clue in identifying some other clinical landmarks, including:

1. McBurney's point
   McBurney's point
   McBurney's point is the name given to the point over the right side of the abdomen that is one-third of the distance from the ASIS to the umbilicus...
   
   
2. Gardner's line
3. Roser-Nélaton line
   Nelaton's line
   In anatomy, the Nelaton's Line is a theoretical line, in the moderately flexed hip, drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tuberosity of the ischium....
   
   

A - Anterior (front, like the face

Face

The term face refers to the central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, teeth, skin, and chin....

)

S - Superior (towards the head

Head

In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth...

, opposite to feet)

I - Iliac

Ilium (bone)

The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin,...

 (Pelvis

Pelvis

In human anatomy, the pelvis is the part of the trunk inferioposterior to the abdomen in the transition area between the trunk and the lower limbs...

 bone)

S - Spine

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Ilium (bone)
  Ilium (bone)
  The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin,...
  
  
• Human anatomical terms

External links

- "Major Joints of the Lower Extremity: Hip bone (lateral view)" - "Anterior Abdominal Wall: Osteology and Surface Anatomy"

• Diagram at Wayne State