2. The Pelvic Girdle
• Composed of 4 bones: sacrum, coccyx and 2 os coxae
Functions:
• Bear the weight of the upper body
• Transfer weight from the axial skeleton to lower apendicular
skeleton for standing and walking
• Provide attachment of muscles
• Provide attachment of external genitalia
3. The Pelvis
• What is the difference between the true pelvis and the false
pelvis?
True Pelvis= Lesser Pelvis
The cavity below the pelvic brim.
False Pelvis= Greater Pelvis
The expanded portion of the cavity situated above and in front
of the pelvic brim.
4. Male vs. Female Pelvis
Male Pelvis is:
• Thick and heavy
• Deep false pelvis
• Narrow, heart shaped
true pelvis
• Pubic arch is narrow
(<70˚)
• Obturator foramen are
round
• The acetabulum are
large
Female Pelvis is:
• Thin and light
• Shallow false pelvis
• Wide, shallow, oval-
shaped true pelvis
• Pubic arch is wide
(>80˚)
• Obturator foramen are
oval
• The acetabulum are
small
6. The Uterus
• Pear shaped
• 7.5cm long
• 5cm wide
• 2cm thick
• Weighs 90g
• Composed of 3 parts; fundus; body; and cervix
Fundus
7. The Wall of the Uterus
• Endometrium:
Lining of the uterus
• Myometrium:
Muscular tissue
underneath the
endometrium
• Perimetrium:
The outer serosa layer of
the uterus
8. Uterine Tubes
• 13cm long
• Fertilisation usually occurs at the ampulla-isthmus boundary
9. The Ligaments of the Uterus
• Broad Ligament: connects sides of uterus to the pelvic wall
and floor
• Round Ligament: attaches to uterus below the uterine region
of the fallopian tube and passes through the inguinal canal to
the labia majorca
• Ovarian Ligament: attaches ovary to uterus
10. The Vagina
• A fibromuscular tube that extends from the uterus to the
vulva
• The cervix projects downwards and backwards into the vagina
• The hymen is a thin mucosal fold partially covering the
external os which is broken during intercourse
13. Pelvic Walls vs. Pelvic Floor
Pelvic Walls
The walls of the pelvis are
formed by the bony pelvis
girdle and its associated
ligaments.
Pelvic Floor
The floor of the pelvis
formed by the pelvic
diaphragm which consists
of the levator ani and
coccygeus muscles.
Puborectalis
Pubococcygeus
Ilicoccygeus
Coccygeus
15. Contents of the Perineum
Urogenital Triangle
• Termed the Ischianal
fossa
• Contains fat and loose
connective tissue
• Supports anal canal
• Allows expansion of anal
canal during passage of
faeces
Anal Triangle
• Contains external genitalia,
urethra and vaginal
opening
• Provides support for
abdominal/pelvic contents
and external genitalia
• The muscular component
of the urogenital triangle
forms the urogenital
diaphragm
