The invention corresponds to a prosthesis for total or surface hip replacement, which comprises a prosthetic femoral head made of highly crosslinked polyethylene, with a diameter of 38 mm to 64 mm, for articulating with a cup or acetabular component made of metal. When the invention is used for total hip replacement, the polyethylene head includes a metal core, which contains the female counterpart (14) on the inside for coupling with the male counterpart (13) of a Morse taper, located at the top end of the femoral component. The use of this type of head for total hip replacement, articulated with an ultra-polished acetabular cup, reduces the risk of luxation, transmits less angular and torque force to the Morse taper than the large metal heads, and avoids problems related with the metal-metal combination or with the use of large metal heads with thin polyethylenes. When the invention relates to surface hip replacement, the highly crosslinked polyethylene femoral head has a lower shank or extension made of polyethylene, with or without inner metal reinforcement (151), or a metal shank built into a metal backing (152). The use of this type of heads for surface hip replacement does away with problems associated with metal-metal surface replacements.Esta invención corresponde a una prótesis para reemplazo total o de superficie de cadera, que comprende una cabeza femoral protésica fabricada en polietileno altamente entrecruzado, con un diámetro que oscila entre de 38 mm y 64 mm, para articular con una copa o componente acetabular elaborado en metal. Cuando la invención aplica para el reemplazo total de cadera, la cabeza de polietileno incluye un núcleo metálico, que contiene en su interior la contraparte hembra (14) para acoplarse con la contraparte macho (13) de un cono Morse, ubicada en el extremo superior del componente femoral. La utilización de este tipo de cabeza para reemplazo total de cadera, articulada con una copa acetabular ultra pulida, reduce el riesgo de l
