7.11 Pelvic Girdle

pelvic girdle part of the skeleton to which the lower limbs attach

the pelvic girdle consists of the 2 hip bones, also known as coxal bones, or innominate bones

articulate with each other anteriorly and with the sacrum posteriorly

the sacrum, coccyx, and pelvic girdle form the bowl-shaped pelvis

pelvis basin-shaped structure formed by the sacrum and hip bones

Hip Bones

each hip bones develops from 3 parts- an ilium, an ischium, and a pubis

fuse into a cavity called acetabulum

ilium one of the fused bones of a hip bone

the ilium, the largest and most superior portion of the hip bone, flares outward, forming the prominence of the hip

ischium the posterior and inferior region of the hip bone

the ischium, which forms the lowest portion of the hip bone, is L-shaped, with its angle

pubis the anterior and inferior region of the hip bone

the pubis constitutes the anterior portion of the hip bone

the 2 pubic bones come together at the midline, forming a joint called the pubic symphysis

True Pelvis Versus False Pelvis

superior to the pelvic brim, the false pelvis is bounded posteriorly by the lumbar vertebrae

false pelvis helps support the abdominal organs

inferior to the pelvic brim, the true pelvis is bounded posteriorly by the sacrum and coccyx

opening cavity is the pelvic outlet

an infant passes through this cavity during childbirth

Differences Between a Male and Female Pelvis

in females the iliac bones are more flared than those in males

female pubic arch is usually greater and woman have broader hips

Practice 7.11

the pelvis is formed by the 2 hip bones (also called coxal or pelvic bones), the sacrum and the coccyx. the hip bones connect the lower limbs to the axial skeleton. the sacrum and coccyx form the inferior portion of the vertebral column

the ilium, ischium, and pubis fuse to form each hip bone (also called a coxal or pelvic bone)

the false (upper, greater) pelvis is superior to the pelvic brim, bounded by the lumbar vertebrae, flared parts of the iliac bones, and the abdominal wall. the true pelvis is inferior to the pelvic brim, bounded by the sacrum, coccyx, lower ilium, ischium, and pubis bones

in the female pelvis, the iliac bones are more flared than that of the male. also, the angle of the pubic arch and the distance between the ischial spines and tuberosities are greater in the female than in the male.