Pelvis

The pelvis is a ring of bone that supports the weight of the upper body. It is also known as the hipbones. The pelvis is a large semicircular bone complex that forms the base on which the torso and upper body are positioned.

Anatomy of the Pelvis

The pelvis is comprised of three bones arranged in a ring: the ilium, which is formed in the shape of a wing, rising on each side of the pelvis; the ischium, which forms the middle portion of the pelvis; and the pubis, the bone at the base of the pelvic structure.

When you put your hands on your hips, they are resting on your illia. These are most pronounced in women. Your ischia are your sitting bones. They carry all your weight when you sit down. Your pubic bones meet at the front of your pelvis and are linked together by a bridge of flexible cartilage.

In the adult human, it is formed by the sacrum and the coccyx, the caudal part of the axial skeleton, and a pair of hip bones.

The pelvis is connected to the skeleton of the upper body by way of the sacroiliac, a fused joint at the connection between the lower portion of the spinal column and the pelvic bones.

The sacrum and the coccyx (the tailbone) are the bottom portion of the spine that make the connection to the pelvis; the presence of a ligament connecting the sacrum to the pelvis is not a typical joint, as the pelvic structure is capable of very little flexion or extending on its own.

It should be noted that there is a difference between the female and male pelvis. The female pelvis is shallower and wider than the males to make it wide enough to allow a baby to pass through during childbirth.

Functions of the Pelvis

The pelvis provides a foundation for the lower extremities, the legs and also supports a portion of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. If the pelvis were less stable, the legs would not be able to generate either propulsion or their range of motion.

The pelvis also provides a foundation of the movement of other parts of the anatomy, particularly the back and the legs. The pelvis also permits the weight of the entire upper body to be evenly distributed to the legs, which are connected to the pelvis through the hip joints.

The pelvis also protects the lower organs of the abdomen, particularly those of the renal and intestinal tracts.
Conditions of the Pelvis

Pelvic fractures are the most serious conditions especially for those that are aging. A pelvic injury takes a very long time to heal and will greatly reduce movement.

Sportsmen are also susceptible to sports hernia. This is especially true for soccer players. The pelvis is also greatly affected by other diseases that affect the bones like osteoporosis.

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