Pelvis and Pelvic Wall

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the pelvis and pelvic wall, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Pelvic inlet

The boundary between the greater pelvis and lesser pelvis.

Pelvic floor

A fibromuscular structure that separates the pelvic cavity above from the perineum below.

False pelvis

The portion of the pelvis located superior to the pelvic inlet, containing the distal part of the intestines.

True pelvis

The portion of the pelvis located between the pelvic inlet and outlet, including the pelvic cavity.

Sacroiliac joint

Joint connecting the sacrum and ilium, stabilized by anterior, posterior, and interosseous sacroiliac ligaments.

Pubic symphysis

The joint where the two pubic bones meet, allowing minimal movement except during pregnancy.

Levator ani

A group of muscles forming the pelvic diaphragm, important for maintaining fecal continence.

Coccygeus muscle

A small triangular muscle that supports the pelvic viscera and flexes the coccyx.

Obturator internus

A fan-shaped muscle originating around the obturator foramen, leaving the pelvis through the lesser sciatic foramen.

Piriformis

A muscle originating between the anterior sacral foramina, leaving the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen.

Ischium

The posteroinferior part of the hip bone.

Acetabulum

The articulation point where the ilium, ischium, and pubis meet, forming the hip joint.

Sacrotuberous ligament

A ligament that stabilizes the sacrum on the pelvic bones and converts sciatic notches into foramina.

Pubic arch

The structure formed by the inferior aspects of the pubic bones, which has a different angle in males and females.

Ischial tuberosity

A bony prominence on the ischium that serves as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments.