Physiology of the Developing Hip and Pathogenesis of Femoroacetabular Impingement

Bone development occurs through either intramembranous ossification (mesenchymal or connective tissue) or enchondral ossification, where bone is formed from hyaline cartilage. The flat bones of the skull and the mandible, maxilla and clavicles are formed by intramembranous ossification. The long bones and spine and most of the other bones of the axial skeleton are formed by enchondral ossification. In this chapter, the growth and development of the hip, particularly the proximal femur, is reviewed as well as the pathways for the development of adaptive bony changes leading to FAI.