The Pelvic Girdle Flashcards
What bones make up the bony pelvis (pelvic girdle)?
Sacrum, Coccyx, Right Hip Bone, and Left Hip Bone.
What are the primary functions of the bony pelvis?
- Transmits body weight from the vertebral column to the femur.
- Contains, protects, and supports pelvic organs (e.g., bladder, rectum, reproductive organs).
- Provides attachment points for lower limbs and trunk.
- Anchors the roots of the external genitalia.
What are the key joints of the pelvic girdle and their functions?
- Sacroiliac joint: Transfers weight from sacrum to hip bones.
- Lumbosacral joint: Connects the lumbar spine to the sacrum.
- Sacrococcygeal joint: Connects the sacrum and coccyx.
- Pubic symphysis: A secondary cartilaginous joint that can soften and stretch during pregnancy, causing pain.
What is the subpubic angle, and where is it located?
The subpubic angle is the angle between the two pubic arches (formed by the left and right ischiopubic rami).
What is the acetabulum, and at what age does it fully form?
The acetabulum is the socket in the hip bone where the femur head articulates. It is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which occurs around 16–18 years old.
What are the main joints of the pelvic girdle?
Sacroiliac joint, Lumbosacral joint, Sacrococcygeal joint, Pubic symphysis.
What is the function of the sacroiliac joint?
It transfers weight from the sacrum to the hip bones.
What type of joint is the pubic symphysis, and what happens to it during pregnancy?
It is a secondary cartilaginous joint that can soften and stretch during pregnancy, potentially causing pain
At what age do the three hip bones fuse, and where?
They fuse at the acetabulum around 16-18 years old.
What three bones form each hip bone?
Ilium, Ischium, and Pubis
What is the acetabulum?
A concave surface formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, where the femur articulates with the hip bone.
Name two anterior landmarks of the hip bone.
Anterior superior iliac spine and Anterior inferior iliac spine.
Name two posterior landmarks of the hip bone.
Posterior superior iliac spine and Posterior inferior iliac spine.
What is the ischial tuberosity?
A bony prominence on the ischium that supports body weight when sitting.
What is the function of the subpubic angle?
It is the angle between the two pubic arches (formed by the left and right ischiopubic rami) and is useful in determining the pelvic outlet.
What is the obturator foramen?
A large opening in the hip bone, bordered by the pubis and ischium, allowing nerves and blood vessels to pass through.
What is the iliac crest?
The superior border of the ilium, forming the prominent “hip” bone.
What are the greater and lesser sciatic notches?
Depressions in the posterior hip bone:
Greater sciatic notch allows passage for the sciatic nerve.
Lesser sciatic notch allows passage of structures from the pelvis to the gluteal region.
What is the pubic tubercle?
A prominent point on the superior pubic ramus, used as an attachment site for the inguinal ligament.
What is the function of the obturator membrane?
It covers most of the obturator foramen and reduces its size.
Where does the sacrotuberous ligament run?
It runs between the sacrum and the ischial tuberosity.
Where does the sacrospinous ligament run?
It runs between the ischial spine and the sacrum and coccyx.