11. Uro-Genital System (TT) Flashcards
(176 cards)
What are the three bones of the hip and how are they joined?

Aside from the hip bones, what are the other bones found in the pelvis?
- Sacrum
- Coccyx

What is the acetabulum and where is it found?
- It is the concave cavity found in the hip bone, formed by the ilium, ischium and pubis bones.
- It is where the head of femur articulates with the hip.
How is the pelvis attached to the axial skeleton?
The sacro-iliac joint joins the hip bones to the spine.
What joint joins the sacrum to the ilium in the hip? What type of joint is this?
- Sacroiliac joint
- It is plane synovial, but multiple ligaments mean that it is very stable

What joint joins the pubis bones at the anterior side of the pelvic girdle? What is the notch inferior to this called?
- Pubis symphysis
- This forms the pubic arch inferior to it
What is the name for the two small bumps on the pubis bones near the pubic symphysis?
Pubic tubercles
What are the two arms that join the pubis and ischium?
Superior and inferior pubic rami

What is the name for the two wing-like parts of the ilium bones?
Ala
What is the inner surface of the ilium bone called?
Iliac fossa -> It is noramlly covered by the iliacus muscle.

What is the name for the hole in the pelvic girdle formed by the ischium and rami of the pubis?
Obturator foramen

What are the pelvic inlet and outlet, and what bones border each? [IMPORTANT]
- Pelvic inlet
- This is the superior opening to the pelvis
- Formed by the pubic symphysis anteriorly, and the pectineal line of the pubis, the arcuate line of the ilium, and the sacral promontory
- Pelvic outlet
- This is the inferior opening to the pelvis
- Formed 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

Draw a diagram to show what marks the border of the pelvic inlet.
What two bones form the obturator foramen?
- Pubis
- Ischium
What are the main landmarks of the pelvis? Which of these are palpable?
Ilium:
- Iliac crest (palpable)
- Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) (palpable)
- Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) (palpable)
- Anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS)
- Greater sciatic notch
Ischium:
- Ischial spine
- Ischial tuberosity (palpable)
Pubis:
- Pubic tubercle (palpable)
What are the two ligaments that stabilise the sacroiliac joint? Where do these attach?
- Sacrospinous -> From ischial spine to the sacrum
- Sacrotuberous -> From ischial tuberosity to the sacrum
Describe the greater and lesser sciatic notches and foramen. What structures form these?
- The sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments form two foramen (greater and lesser sciatic foramen)
- The points on the bone at the superior corner of each foramen are called the greater and lesser sciatic notches
What passes through the greater and lesser sciatic formamen?
- Greater sciatic foramen:
- Piriformis muscle
- Pudendal vein, artery and nerve
- Lesser sciatic foramen:
- Obturator internus muscle
What sections does the pelvic inlet divide the pelvis into?
- Greater pelvis (around the abdominal cavity)
- Lesser pelvis (around the pelvic cavity)
Describe how the pelvis is angled.
- It is angled so that the sacrum actually forms the roof of the pelvis
- The pubic symphysis and ASIS lie in the same plane, which is tilted about 50-60 degrees forward
- This is different to how it is usually presented (with the outlet at the top and inlet at the bottom)
Compare the shape of the pelvis in males and females.
- In females, the pelvic inlet is more oval shaped and wider, to allow for the passage of a baby. The pubic arch is less acute. The bones are thinner.
- In males, the sacrum is more prominent in males and protrudes into the pelvic inlet, making it more heart-shaped. The pubic arch is more acute. The bones are thicker.
What is the pelvic floor?
- Pelvic floor muscles are the layer of muscles that support the pelvic organs and span the bottom of the pelvis.
- Separates the pelvic cavity above from the perineal region (including perineum).
What forms the pelvic floor and what is the collective name for this?
- Sheets of muscle
- Collectively, they are called the levator ani muscles (and the coccygeus muscle)
Where do the levator ani muscles attach?
They run from the inner surface of the pubis and ischium to the coccyx.




