Pelvis

Introduction

Bones of the pelvic girdle

Bones of the pelvis.

Illustration of the sacroiliac joint

Composed of

• Hip Bone
• Sacrum
• Coccyx

Description

• Connects the axial skeleton to the lower limbs
• Plays a role in weight bearing of the upper body
• Attachment for many muscles, ligaments

Hip Bone

• Composed of Ilium, Pubis, Ischium
• Separated by cartilage at birth, fuse during puberty

Sacrum

• Located at the base of the lumbar spinal vertebrae
• Posteriorly within the pelvis, articulates with ilium to form sacroiliac joint
• Formed of 5 fused sacral vertebrae
• Transmits the sacral nerve fibers

Coccyx

• Smallest of the pelvic bones
• Sits inferior to the sacrum
• Acts as a bony attachment for a few muscles and ligaments

Pelvic Girdle

• Ring-shaped collection of these bones at the base of the spine

Pubic Symphysis

• Fibrocartilaginous joint formed by the left/right superior pubic rami of two pubic bones
• Non-synovial, non-vascular amphiarthrodial joint
• Wedge-shaped intperubic disc between the two layers of hyaline cartilage

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Clinical Significance

• Needs to be updated
• Pelvic Stress Fracture

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See Also

• Hip Pain Main
• Pelvic Pain Main
• Hip Anatomy Main
• Physical Exam Hip
• Physical Exam Pelvis

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