What is the difference between pelvic girdle and pelvis

The sacrospinous ligament spans the sacrum to the ischial spine, and the sacrotuberous ligament spans the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity. The sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments contribute to the formation of the greater and lesser sciatic foramens.

Watch this video for a 3-D view of the pelvis and its associated ligaments. What is the large opening in the bony pelvis, located between the ischium and pubic regions, and what two parts of the pubis contribute to the formation of this opening?

The sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments also help to define two openings on the posterolateral sides of the pelvis through which muscles, nerves, and blood vessels for the lower limb exit. The superior opening is the greater sciatic foramen. This large opening is formed by the greater sciatic notch of the hip bone, the sacrum, and the sacrospinous ligament. The smaller, more inferior lesser sciatic foramen is formed by the lesser sciatic notch of the hip bone, together with the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments.

The space enclosed by the bony pelvis is divided into two regions Figure 4. The broad, superior region, defined laterally by the large, fan-like portion of the upper hip bone, is called the greater pelvis greater pelvic cavity; false pelvis. This broad area is occupied by portions of the small and large intestines, and because it is more closely associated with the abdominal cavity, it is sometimes referred to as the false pelvis.

More inferiorly, the narrow, rounded space of the lesser pelvis lesser pelvic cavity; true pelvis contains the bladder and other pelvic organs, and thus is also known as the true pelvis. The pelvic brim also known as the pelvic inlet forms the superior margin of the lesser pelvis, separating it from the greater pelvis. The pelvic brim is defined by a line formed by the upper margin of the pubic symphysis anteriorly, and the pectineal line of the pubis, the arcuate line of the ilium, and the sacral promontory the anterior margin of the superior sacrum posteriorly.

The inferior limit of the lesser pelvic cavity is called the pelvic outlet. This large opening is defined by the inferior margin of the pubic symphysis anteriorly, and the ischiopubic ramus, the ischial tuberosity, the sacrotuberous ligament, and the inferior tip of the coccyx posteriorly. Because of the anterior tilt of the pelvis, the lesser pelvis is also angled, giving it an anterosuperior pelvic inlet to posteroinferior pelvic outlet orientation. Figure 4. Male and Female Pelvis.

The female pelvis is adapted for childbirth and is broader, with a larger subpubic angle, a rounder pelvic brim, and a wider and more shallow lesser pelvic cavity than the male pelvis. The differences between the adult female and male pelvis relate to function and body size. The greater sciatic notch of the male hip bone is narrower and deeper than the broader notch of females.

Because the female pelvis is adapted for childbirth, it is wider than the male pelvis, as evidenced by the distance between the anterior superior iliac spines see Figure 4. The ischial tuberosities of females are also farther apart, which increases the size of the pelvic outlet. Because of this increased pelvic width, the subpubic angle is larger in females greater than 80 degrees than it is in males less than 70 degrees.

The female sacrum is wider, shorter, and less curved, and the sacral promontory projects less into the pelvic cavity, thus giving the female pelvic inlet pelvic brim a more rounded or oval shape compared to males. The lesser pelvic cavity of females is also wider and more shallow than the narrower, deeper, and tapering lesser pelvis of males.

Because of the obvious differences between female and male hip bones, this is the one bone of the body that allows for the most accurate sex determination. Table 1 provides an overview of the general differences between the female and male pelvis. A forensic pathologist also known as a medical examiner is a medically trained physician who has been specifically trained in pathology to examine the bodies of the deceased to determine the cause of death.

A forensic pathologist applies his or her understanding of disease as well as toxins, blood and DNA analysis, firearms and ballistics, and other factors to assess the cause and manner of death. At times, a forensic pathologist will be called to testify under oath in situations that involve a possible crime. Forensic pathology is a field that has received much media attention on television shows or following a high-profile death. Forensic anthropology brings the tools and knowledge of physical anthropology and human osteology the study of the skeleton to the task of investigating a death.

A forensic anthropologist assists medical and legal professionals in identifying human remains. The science behind forensic anthropology involves the study of archaeological excavation; the examination of hair; an understanding of plants, insects, and footprints; the ability to determine how much time has elapsed since the person died; the analysis of past medical history and toxicology; the ability to determine whether there are any postmortem injuries or alterations of the skeleton; and the identification of the decedent deceased person using skeletal and dental evidence.

Due to the extensive knowledge and understanding of excavation techniques, a forensic anthropologist is an integral and invaluable team member to have on-site when investigating a crime scene, especially when the recovery of human skeletal remains is involved.

When remains are bought to a forensic anthropologist for examination, he or she must first determine whether the remains are in fact human. The forensic anthropologist does not determine the cause of death, but rather provides information to the forensic pathologist, who will use all of the data collected to make a final determination regarding the cause of death.

Skip to main content. Overview and Key Difference 2. What is Pelvis 3. What is Pelvic Girdle 4. Similarities Between Pelvis and Pelvic Girdle 5. The pelvis is a combination of several bones, composed of two coxal bones joined posteriorly by the sacrum and interiorly by pubic symphysis. The centre of the pelvis called the pelvic cavity contains the genital organs and rectum.

Pelvis greatly differs between males and females. The female pelvis is small and more delicate. Its iliac crests are farther apart. Hence, the female pelvis is generally wider. On the other hand, the male pelvis is massive, and the iliac crests are close together.

Hence, the male pelvis is narrower. These differences in females are basically due to their role of pregnancy and childbirth. Difference Between Male and Female Pelvis. The pelvic girdle is composed of two bones called os coxae. These are the anterior sacroiliac ligament on the anterior side of the joint and the posterior sacroiliac ligament on the posterior side.

Also spanning the sacrum and hip bone are two additional ligaments. The sacrospinous ligament runs from the sacrum to the ischial spine, and the sacrotuberous ligament runs from the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity. These ligaments help to support and immobilize the sacrum as it carries the weight of the body. Watch this video for a 3-D view of the pelvis and its associated ligaments. What is the large opening in the bony pelvis, located between the ischium and pubic regions, and what two parts of the pubis contribute to the formation of this opening?

The sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments also help to define two openings on the posterolateral sides of the pelvis through which muscles, nerves, and blood vessels for the lower limb exit.

The superior opening is the greater sciatic foramen. This large opening is formed by the greater sciatic notch of the hip bone, the sacrum, and the sacrospinous ligament. The smaller, more inferior lesser sciatic foramen is formed by the lesser sciatic notch of the hip bone, together with the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments. The space enclosed by the bony pelvis is divided into two regions [link]. The broad, superior region, defined laterally by the large, fan-like portion of the upper hip bone, is called the greater pelvis greater pelvic cavity; false pelvis.

This broad area is occupied by portions of the small and large intestines, and because it is more closely associated with the abdominal cavity, it is sometimes referred to as the false pelvis. More inferiorly, the narrow, rounded space of the lesser pelvis lesser pelvic cavity; true pelvis contains the bladder and other pelvic organs, and thus is also known as the true pelvis.

The pelvic brim also known as the pelvic inlet forms the superior margin of the lesser pelvis, separating it from the greater pelvis. The pelvic brim is defined by a line formed by the upper margin of the pubic symphysis anteriorly, and the pectineal line of the pubis, the arcuate line of the ilium, and the sacral promontory the anterior margin of the superior sacrum posteriorly.

The inferior limit of the lesser pelvic cavity is called the pelvic outlet. This large opening is defined by the inferior margin of the pubic symphysis anteriorly, and the ischiopubic ramus, the ischial tuberosity, the sacrotuberous ligament, and the inferior tip of the coccyx posteriorly. Because of the anterior tilt of the pelvis, the lesser pelvis is also angled, giving it an anterosuperior pelvic inlet to posteroinferior pelvic outlet orientation.

Comparison of the Female and Male Pelvis The differences between the adult female and male pelvis relate to function and body size. The greater sciatic notch of the male hip bone is narrower and deeper than the broader notch of females.

Because the female pelvis is adapted for childbirth, it is wider than the male pelvis, as evidenced by the distance between the anterior superior iliac spines see [link]. The ischial tuberosities of females are also farther apart, which increases the size of the pelvic outlet.

Because of this increased pelvic width, the subpubic angle is larger in females greater than 80 degrees than it is in males less than 70 degrees. The female sacrum is wider, shorter, and less curved, and the sacral promontory projects less into the pelvic cavity, thus giving the female pelvic inlet pelvic brim a more rounded or oval shape compared to males.

The lesser pelvic cavity of females is also wider and more shallow than the narrower, deeper, and tapering lesser pelvis of males. Because of the obvious differences between female and male hip bones, this is the one bone of the body that allows for the most accurate sex determination.

Forensic Pathology and Forensic Anthropology A forensic pathologist also known as a medical examiner is a medically trained physician who has been specifically trained in pathology to examine the bodies of the deceased to determine the cause of death.

A forensic pathologist applies his or her understanding of disease as well as toxins, blood and DNA analysis, firearms and ballistics, and other factors to assess the cause and manner of death. At times, a forensic pathologist will be called to testify under oath in situations that involve a possible crime.

Forensic pathology is a field that has received much media attention on television shows or following a high-profile death. Forensic anthropology brings the tools and knowledge of physical anthropology and human osteology the study of the skeleton to the task of investigating a death.

A forensic anthropologist assists medical and legal professionals in identifying human remains. The science behind forensic anthropology involves the study of archaeological excavation; the examination of hair; an understanding of plants, insects, and footprints; the ability to determine how much time has elapsed since the person died; the analysis of past medical history and toxicology; the ability to determine whether there are any postmortem injuries or alterations of the skeleton; and the identification of the decedent deceased person using skeletal and dental evidence.

Due to the extensive knowledge and understanding of excavation techniques, a forensic anthropologist is an integral and invaluable team member to have on-site when investigating a crime scene, especially when the recovery of human skeletal remains is involved. When remains are bought to a forensic anthropologist for examination, he or she must first determine whether the remains are in fact human. The forensic anthropologist does not determine the cause of death, but rather provides information to the forensic pathologist, who will use all of the data collected to make a final determination regarding the cause of death.

The pelvic girdle, consisting of a hip bone, serves to attach a lower limb to the axial skeleton. The hip bone articulates posteriorly at the sacroiliac joint with the sacrum, which is part of the axial skeleton.

The right and left hip bones converge anteriorly and articulate with each other at the pubic symphysis. The combination of the hip bone, the sacrum, and the coccyx forms the pelvis. The pelvis has a pronounced anterior tilt. The primary function of the pelvis is to support the upper body and transfer body weight to the lower limbs.

It also serves as the site of attachment for multiple muscles. The hip bone consists of three regions: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. The ilium forms the large, fan-like region of the hip bone. The superior margin of this area is the iliac crest.

Located at either end of the iliac crest are the anterior superior and posterior superior iliac spines. Inferior to these are the anterior inferior and posterior inferior iliac spines. The auricular surface of the ilium articulates with the sacrum to form the sacroiliac joint.

The medial surface of the upper ilium forms the iliac fossa, with the arcuate line marking the inferior limit of this area. The posterior margin of the ilium has the large greater sciatic notch. The posterolateral portion of the hip bone is the ischium. It has the expanded ischial tuberosity, which supports body weight when sitting.

The ischial ramus projects anteriorly and superiorly. The posterior margin of the ischium has the shallow lesser sciatic notch and the ischial spine, which separates the greater and lesser sciatic notches. The body of the pubis articulates with the pubis of the opposite hip bone at the pubic symphysis.

The superior margin of the pubic body has the pubic tubercle. The pubis is joined to the ilium by the superior pubic ramus, the superior surface of which forms the pectineal line.