pelvis

1 the structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates [syn: pelvic girdle, pelvic arch, hip]

2 a structure shaped like a funnel in the outlet of the kidney into which urine is discharged before passing into the ureter [syn: renal pelvis] [also: pelves (pl)]

English

Noun

1. The large compound bone structure at the base of the spine that supports the legs. It consists of hip bone, sacrum and coccyx.

Translations

Derived terms

• pelvic arch
• pelvic girdle
• hemipelvectomy

See also

• bone
• coccyx
• hip
• hipbone
• ilium
• innominate bone
• ischium
• os coxae
• pubis
• sacrum

The (pelvis pl. pelvises or pelves) is the bony structure located at the base of the spine (properly known as the caudal end). It is part of the appendicular skeleton. Each os coxae (hipbone) consists of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and the pubis. 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 hipbone. The two hipbones are joined anteriorly at the symphysis pubis and posteriorly to the sacrum. The pelvis incorporates the socket portion of the hip joint for each leg (in bipeds) or hind leg (in quadrupeds). It forms the lower limb (or hind-limb) girdle of the skeleton.

Sex differences

• 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 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

References

Additional images

Image:Hueftgelenk-gesund.jpg|Radiograph of a healthy human hip joint

See also

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Hip fracture
• Lesser pelvis
• Greater pelvis
• Pelvic cavity
• Pelvic fracture
• Pelvic Bone Width
• Coccyx (tailbone)

External links

• Coccyx pain, tailbone pain, coccydynia (Peer-reviewed medical chapter, available free online at eMedicine)

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