[4][verification needed] Arising from the anterior inferior iliac spine and the rim of the acetabulum, the iliofemoral ligament spreads obliquely downwards and laterally to the intertrochanteric line on the anterior side of the femoral head.

In some cases there is no division, and the ligament spreads out into a flat triangular band which is attached to the whole length of the intertrochanteric line.

[citation needed] In a standing posture, when the pelvis is tilted posteriorly, the ligament is twisted and tense, which prevents the trunk from falling backwards and the posture is maintained without the need for muscular activity.

[4] Turnout used in the classical ballet style requires a great deal of flexibility in this ligament.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 335 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)