The AIIS is formed from a separate ossification centre to the rest of the ilium.

[1] The upper portion of the spine gives origin to the straight head of the rectus femoris muscle.

[1] A teardrop-shaped lower portion gives origin to the iliofemoral ligament of the hip joint and borders the rim of the acetabulum.

A vague line, the inferior gluteal line, might run from the AIIS to the greater sciatic notch which delineates the inferior extent of the origin of gluteus minimus muscle.

[1] Rectus femoris muscle may avulse from the AIIS with significant mechanical stress.