pelvis
(pel'vis) (pel'vez?) (pel'vi-sez) plural.pelvespelvises [L. pelvis, basin] 1. A basin-shaped structure or cavity.
PELVIS
2. The bony compartment comprising the innominate bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx, joined at the symphysis pubis, sacroiliac, and sacrococcygeal articulations by a network of cartilage and ligaments. The structure supports the vertebral column and articulates with the lower limbs. See: illustration
3. The cavity encompassed by the innominate bones, the sacrum, and the coccyx.
Anatomy
The pelvis is separated into a false or superior pelvis and a true or inferior pelvis by the iliopectineal line and the upper margin of the symphysis pubis. The circumference of this area constitutes the inlet of the true pelvis. The lower border of the true pelvis, termed the outlet, is formed by the coccyx, the protuberances of the ischia, the ascending rami of the ischia, and the descending rami of the ossa pubis and the sacrosciatic ligaments. The floor of the pelvis is formed by the perineal fascia, the levator ani, and the coccygeus muscles. All diameters normally are larger in the female than in the male.
External Diameters
Interspinous: The distance between the outer edges of the anterosuperior iliac spines, the diameter normally measuring 26 cm (1014 in.). Intercristal: The distance between the outer edges of the most prominent portion of the iliac crests, the diameter normally being 28 cm (11 in.). Intertrochanteric: The distance between the most prominent points of the femoral trochanters, 32 cm (1212 in.). Oblique (right and left): The distance from one posterosuperior iliac spine to the opposite anterosuperior iliac spine, 22 cm (812 in.), the right being slightly greater than the left. External conjugate: The distance from the undersurface of the spinous process of the last lumbar vertebra to the upper margin of the anterior surface of the symphysis pubis, 20 cm (778 in.).
Internal Diameters
True conjugate: The anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic inlet, 11 cm (414 in.), the most important single diameter of the pelvis. Diagonal conjugate: The distance between the promontory of the sacrum to the undersurface of the symphysis pubis, 13 cm (518 in.). Two cm (34 in.) are deducted for the height and inclination of the symphysis pubis to obtain the diameter of the conjugate. Transverse: The distance between the ischial tuberosities, 11 cm (414 in.). Anteroposterior (of outlet): The distance between the lower border of the symphysis pubis and the tip of the sacrum, 11 cm (414 in.). Anterior sagittal: The distance from the undersurface of the symphysis pubis to the center of the line between the ischial tuberosities, 7 cm (234 in.). Posterior sagittal: The distance from the center of line between the ischial tuberosities to the tip of the sacrum, 10 cm (4 in.).
pelvis aequabiliter justo major
A pelvis that is symmetrically larger than the standard in all its dimensions. Synonym: giant pelvis
pelvis aequabiliter justo minor
A pelvis with all its dimensions uniformly smaller than the standard. Synonym: reduced pelvis
android pelvis
The normal shape of the male pelvis. About 30% of women share this bony configuration; however, the heart-shaped inlet, convergent sidewalls, slanted sacrum, and narrow sacrosciatic notch pose problems for childbearing. The narrowed dimensions increase the risk of fetopelvic disproportion, obstructed labor, and cesarean delivery. Synonym: masculine pelvis
anthropoid pelvis
A deviation from the normal gynecoid configuration of the pelvic bones in which the anterior-posterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter. It is found in approximately 20% of women. Deviations from the normal gynecoid configuration include a long, oval, narrow inlet and narrow sacrum, straight sidewalls, and a wide sacrosciatic notch. The shape increases the potential for fetal posterior positions during childbearing.
assimilation pelvis
A structural abnormality that results from a developmental lumbosacral fusion or from a sacrococcygeal fusion.
beaked pelvis
A pelvis with the pelvic bones laterally compressed and pushed forward so that the outlet is narrow and long. Synonym: rostrate pelvis; triradiate pelvis
bony pelvis
The skeleton of the pelvis, consisting of the right and left hip bones (each made of an ilium, an ischium, and a pubis), the sacrum, and the coccyx.
brachypellic pelvis
An oval pelvis in which the transverse diameter is at least 1 cm longer, but no more than 3 cm longer, than the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis.
brim of the pelvis
Brim (2).contracted pelvis
A pelvis in which one or more of the principal diameters is reduced to a degree that parturition is impeded.
cordate pelvis
A pelvis possessing a heart-shaped inlet.
coxalgic pelvis
A pelvis deformed subsequent to hip joint disease.
dolichopellic pelvis
An abnormal pelvis in which the anteroposterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter.
dwarf pelvis
An unusually small pelvis in which all diameters are symmetrically reduced.
elastic pelvis
Osteomalacic pelvis.extrarenal pelvis
A renal pelvis located outside the kidney.
false pelvis
The portion of the pelvic cavity that lies above the pelvic brim, bounded by the linea terminalis and the iliac fossae. It supports the weight of the growing uterus during the middle and last trimesters of pregnancy.
Synonym: pelvis majorfissured pelvis
A structural malformation in which the ilia are pushed forward to an almost parallel position; caused by rickets.
flat pelvis
A pelvis in which the anteroposterior diameters are shortened.
frozen pelvis
Adhesion of the female reproductive organs to the peritoneum or bowel by cancer, endometriosis, or pelvic infection.
funnel-shaped pelvis
A pelvis in which the outlet is considerably contracted but the inlet dimensions are normal.
giant pelvis
Pelvis aequabiliter justo major.gynecoid pelvis
A normal female pelvis. Relative to the male pelvis, it has a wider bone structure and a more oval shape.
halisteretic pelvis
A deformed pelvis resulting from softening of bones because of osteomalacia..
infantile pelvis
An adult pelvis that retains its infantile characteristics. Synonym: juvenile pelvis
pelvis justo major
An unusually large pelvis.
juvenile pelvis
Infantile pelvis.kyphoscoliotic pelvis
A deformed pelvis caused by rickets.
kyphotic pelvis
A deformed pelvis characterized by an increase of the conjugate diameter at the brim with reduction of the transverse diameter at the outlet.
lordotic pelvis
A deformed pelvis in which the spinal column has an anterior curvature in the lumbar region.
pelvis major
False pelvis.masculine pelvis
A female pelvis that resembles a male pelvis, esp. in that it is narrower, more conical, and heavier-boned and has a heart-shaped inlet. Synonym: android pelvis
pelvis minor
True pelvis.pelvis obtecta
A deformed pelvis in which the vertebral column extends across the pelvic inlet.
osteomalacic pelvis
A pelvis distorted because of osteomalacia. Synonym: elastic pelvis
Otto pelvis
See: Otto pelvisplatypellic pelvis
A rare structural malformation that resembles a flattened gynecoid pelvis with shortened anteroposterior and wide transverse diameters.
pseudo-osteomalacic pelvis
A rachitic pelvis similar to that of a person with osteomalacia.
rachitic pelvis
A pelvis deformed from rickets.
reduced pelvis
Pelvis aequabiliter justo minor.renal pelvis
The expanded proximal end of the ureter. It is within the renal sinus of the kidney and receives the urine through the major calyces.
reniform pelvis
A pelvis shaped like a kidney.
Robert pelvis
See: Robert pelvisrostrate pelvis
Beaked pelvis.pelvis rotunda
A tympanic depression in the inner wall, at the bottom of which is the fenestra rotunda.
round pelvis
A pelvis with a circular inlet.
scoliotic pelvis
A deformed pelvis resulting from spinal curvature.
simple flat pelvis
A pelvis with a shortened anteroposterior diameter.
pelvis spinosa
A rachitic pelvis with a pointed pubic crest.
Synonym: Kilian pelvissplit pelvis
A pelvis with a congenital division at the symphysis pubis.
spondylolisthetic pelvis
A pelvis in which the last lumbar vertebra is dislocated in front of the sacrum, causing occlusion of the brim.
triradiate pelvis
Beaked pelvis.true pelvis
The portion of the pelvis lying below the iliopectineal line. The dimensions of the true pelvis are of obstetrical significance in determining the success of fetal descent. Synonym: pelvis minor
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners
