Proximally, the hip joint capsule surrounds the acetabulum. It is attached above and behind, directly to the hip bone wide of the labrum and below and in front, to the acetabular rim, the outer surface of the labrum and the transverse ligament. It surrounds the neck of the femur. Distally, it is attached in front to the intertrochanteric line, above and below to the base of the femoral neck and behind to the posterior femoral neck proximal to the intertrochanteric crest.

There are a number of condensations of capsular fibers. The iliofemoral ligament courses inferiorly from the iliac body and anterior inferior iliac spine, in two distinct directions. One band inserts on the intra-trochanteric line just anterior to the lesser trochanter. The second band courses obliquely in the spiral fraction to encircle the intra-trochanteric line overlying the greater trochanter. The pubo-femoral ligament extends from the anterior border of the superior pubic ramus to the intra-trochanteric line. This is a check against pathological extension of the hip. Posteriorly ischiofemoral ligaments are broad and less dense condensation, extending in an oblique and horizontal fashion from the ischial border of the acetabulum to the superior base of the femoral neck in the region of the trochanteric fossa. The majority of the fibers run longitudinally from the femur to the pelvis. Some of the deeper fibers, however, pass in a circular fashion, which constrict the capsule to form the collar around the femoral neck, referred to as the ‘ zona orbicularis’. Some of the deep longitudinal fibers are reflected back onto the femoral neck from their upper attachment to form longitudinal bands, referred to as ‘retinacula’. These contain blood vessels, which supply the head and neck of the femur.