Morphological characteristics of the acetabulum.

The aim of this research was to accurately measure the surface of the semi lunar articular surface of the pelvis (facies lunata acetabuli) and the variability of the acetabular geometry, as well as to determine the correlation between measured parameters. 30 macerated anatomical specimens of pelvic bones were measured. The radius and depth were measured in the classical way, while cartilaginous surface area was measured using small fragments of measuring paper to avoid errors in measurement due to the curvature of the surface. Computerized calculations provided accurate surface values. In our research, facies lunata acetabuli measured 2294+/-329 mm2. Diameter of the opening of the acetabulum measured 25.8+/-1.9 mm. Acetabular depth was 30+/-3.2 mm. Correlations between the surface area of the facies lunata acetabuli and the radius of the acetabular opening curvature (r=0.71), surface area of the facies lunata acetabuli and the depth of the acetabulum (r=0.80) and the radius of the acetabular opening curvature and the depth of the acetabulum (r=0.80) were confirmed. For precise assessment of the facies lunata acetabuli surface area, the simplest and the cheapest method is the method of measurement using small fragments of measuring paper and software analysis. There is a significant correlation between the depth, opening of the acetabulum and surface area of the facies lunata.