The pelvis (pl. pelvises or pelves), hip girdle, coxa girdle or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the caudal end (the base) of the spine. In the adult human, it is formed in the posterior dorsal (back) by the sacrum and the coccyx, the caudal part of the axial skeleton, and laterally and posterior pair of hip bones, part of the appendicular skeleton or lower extremity. Until puberty, however, each hip bone consists of three separate bones yet to be fused — the ilium, ischium, and the pubis — and the pelvis is thus composed of up to five or seven bones.
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The pelvis (pl. pelvises or pelves), hip girdle, coxa girdle or pelvic girdle is the irregular bony structure located at the caudal end (the base) of the spine. In the adult human, it is formed in the posterior dorsal (back) by the sacrum and the coccyx, the caudal part of the axial skeleton, and laterally and posterior pair of hip bones, part of the appendicular skeleton or lower extremity. Until puberty, however, each hip bone consists of three separate bones yet to be fused — the ilium, ischium, and the pubis — and the pelvis is thus composed of up to five or seven bones.
The ilium is the largest and upper most part, the ischium is the posterior-inferior (back-lower) part, and the pubis is the anterior (front) part of the hip bone connected by a symphis. The two hip bones are joined anteriorly at the symphysis pubis and posteriorly to the sacrum. The pelvis incorporates the socket portion of the hip joint (the acetabulum) for each leg (in bipeds) or hind leg (in quadrupeds). It forms the lower limb (or hind-limb) girdle of the skeleton.
The pelvis gets its name because of its shape. In Latin, "pelvis" means "basin" or "large bowl".
Pelvic cavity
The lesser pelvis (or "true pelvis") only includes structures inferior to the pelvic brim.
The greater pelvis (or "false pelvis") is the expanded portion of the cavity situated above and in front of the pelvic brim.
Pregnancy and childbirth
In later stages of pregnancy the fetus's head aligns inside the pelvis. Also joints of bones soften due to the effect of pregnancy hormones. These factors may cause pelvic joint pain (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD).
During childbirth (unless by Cesarean section) the fetus passes through the maternal pelvic opening.
Sex differences
main: Sex differences in humans
- Infrapubic angle is greater than 90˚ in females and less than 90˚ in males.
- Pelvic inlet in males is more heart-shaped, while in females it is more round or oval.
- Greater sciatic notch narrower in males.
- Acetabulum in males faces more laterally, while it faces more anteriorly in females.
- Sacrum more triangular and shorter in females.
There are four main types of pelvis
- Gynaecoid: Normal female pelvis, round with enlarged transverse diameter
- Android: Normal male pelvis, Heart shaped
- Anthropoid: Long anterior to posterior diameter
- Platypelloid: Long transverse diameter
Race differences
African women tend to have smaller pelvic floor areas than European women.
Additional images
See also
- Bone terminology
- Coccyx (tailbone)
- Hip fracture
- Pelvic fracture
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Sacroiliac joint
- Pelvimetry
- Symphysis pubis
- Terms for anatomical location
- Coccygeal plexus
