Ischium the Latin term derives from Greek ἰσχίον "iskhion" meaning "hip joint". The division of the "acetabulum" into "ischium" (ἰσχίον) and "ilium" (λαγών, "os lagonicum") is due to Galen, "De ossibus". Galen, however, omits mention of the "pubis" as a separate bone. The clade Dinosauria is divided into the Saurischia and Ornithischia based on hip structure, including importantly that of the ischium. In the majority of dinosaurs, the ischium extends down from the ilium and towards the tail of the animal. The acetabulum, which can be thought of as a "hip-socket", is a cup-shaped opening on each side of the pelvic
Aphanosauria bone, although perhaps a small portion was open according to a notch near where the ischium contacts the illium (upper blade of the hip). The gracile femur (thigh bone) of aphanosaurs possesses a characteristic set of features which can be used to diagnose the group. The proximal (near) surface of the bone, which connects to the hip socket, has a deep groove on it, rather than simply being a flat articulation surface. In addition, the bone's distal (far) articulation, which connects to the lower leg bones, is concave. The proximal part of the femur also has several bumps (tubers) on