Pelvic Girdle
 Attaches lower extremities to the
axial skeleton
 Provides strong support for the
weight of the body
 Also provides support for the
urinary bladder, large intestine &
internal reproductive organs
Pelvic Girdle
 Consists of two coxal bones which meet
anteriorly at the pubic symphysis and
posteriorly with the sacrum at the sacroiliac
joints
 Ilium – largest component of the coxal bone
 Acetabulum – socket for the head of the femur;
formed by the ilium, ischium and pubis
 Iliac crest – the superior border of the ilium
 Greater sciatic notch – where the sciatic nerve
(the longest nerve in the body) passes
 Ischium – inferior, posterior portion of the hip
bone
Pelvic Girdle
 Ischial tuberosity – rough, thick area on the
ischium
 Obturator foramen – largest foramen in the
body where nerves and blood vessels pass
through
 Pubis – anterior and inferior part of the hip
bone
 Pubic symphysis – the joint between the two
hip bones; consists of fibrocartilage
 Pelvic brim – boundary that divides the pelvis
into superior and inferior portions
Comparison of Male and
Female Pelves
Female
- Light and thin
- Large, oval pelvic brim
-
-
Male
- heavy and thick
- small, heart shaped
pelvic brim
Small acetabulum
- large acetabulum
Oval obturator foramen
- round obturator foramen
Pubic arch >90°
- pubic arch < 90°
Wide greater sciatic notch - narrow greater sciatic
notch
Short, wide sacrum
- long, narrow sacrum