Pelvic joints and ligaments (dave's notes)

Question 1

List the joints of the pelvis

Answer 1

Sacroiliac, sacrococcygeal, and pubic symphysis

Question 2

List the ligaments of the pelvis

Answer 2

Sacrotuberous, sacrospinous, iliolumbar

Question 3

Describe the sacroiliac joint

Answer 3

This is a synovial joint between the ilium and sacrum, with fibrocartilage (not hyaline), jagged edges, and little movement.

Question 4

What supports the sacroiliac joint?

Answer 4

Strong bands posteriorly and weak anteriorly: The ventral sacroiliac ligament, and a mass of tissue dorsally - mainly the interosseous SI ligament, formally forming the dorsal SI ligament. The stability is insured entirely by ligaments, whereas the bony structure actually tends to diverge the bones.

Question 5

Describe the sacrotuberous ligament

Answer 5

A flat band along the posterior ilium from between the posterior superior to posterior inferior iliac spines, to transverse tubercles of the sacrum

Question 6

Describe the sacrospinus ligament

Answer 6

This lies on the pelvic aspect of the sacrotuberous ligament from coccyx/sacrum to the spine of the ischium

Question 7

What to the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments enclose?

Answer 7

The lesser sciatic foramen

Question 8

Describe the shape of and attachments of the iliolumbar ligament

Answer 8

L shaped structures, with the apex attached to the transverse process of L5, with the upper band to the iliac crest, and lower band running laterally to blend with the sacroiliac ligament

Question 9

What is the sacrococcygeal joint?

Answer 9

The symphysis between the apex of the sacrum and the base of the coccyx, with a disc of fibrocartilage in between

Question 10

What ligaments support the sacrococcygeal joint?

Answer 10

1. Short ventral sacrococcygeal ligament unites bones at the front
2. Two dorsal sacrococcygeal ligaments are found posteriorly; a short deep one and a superficial one
3. Laterally there are sacrococcygeal ligaments from the transverse process of the coccyx to the sacrum

Question 11

What do the dorsal sacrococcygeal ligaments enclose?

Answer 11

The superficial dorsal sacrococcygeal ligaments enclose the sacral hiatus

Question 12

How rigid is the sacrococcygeal joint?

Answer 12

A good deal of flexion and extension is available at this joint

Question 13

What type of joint is the pubic symphysis?

Answer 13

A secondary cartilaginous joint. Each pubis is covered with hyaline cartilage and then both sides are joined by a mass of transversely running fibres

Question 14

How do the sacroiliac ligaments differ between men and women?

Answer 14

The ventral sacroiliac ligament is much stronger in the female.