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Anatomy of the Trunk > Week 18 - Pelvic Osteology > Flashcards

Week 18 - Pelvic Osteology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the characteristics of lumbar vertebrae?

A
  • Bodies -> thick and robust
  • Transverse processes -> thin and tapered
  • Spinous processes -> thick, blunt, and point posteriorly
  • Vertebral foramina -> triangular
  • Superior and inferior articular facets directly medially
  • Allows flexion and extension; rotation is prevented

Key features that distinguish lumbar vertebrae from other vertebrae.

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2
Q

How many vertebrae form the sacrum?

A

5 fused vertebrae

The sacrum shapes the posterior wall of the pelvis.

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3
Q

What is the location of the center of gravity in relation to the sacral promontory?

A

Approximately 1 cm posterior to the sacral promontory

This has implications for pelvic stability and balance.

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4
Q

What are the bony openings associated with the sacrum?

A

• Sacral foramina
• Ventral foramina
• Dorsal foramina

These foramina allow for the passage of nerves and blood vessels.

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5
Q

What is the coccyx commonly referred to as?

A

Tailbone

It is formed from 3 to 5 fused vertebrae.

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6
Q

What is the primary function of the pelvic girdle?

A

Connects the lower limbs to the axial skeleton and provides strong support for the vertebral column

It consists of two coxal bones.

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7
Q

What are the three parts of the coxal bone?

A

• Ilium
• Ischium
• Pubis

Each part has distinct landmarks and functions.

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8
Q

What are the major landmarks of the ilium?

A

• Iliac crest
• Greater sciatic notch
• Auricular surface
• Arcuate line

The ilium is the largest part of the coxal bone.

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9
Q

What are the key landmarks of the ischium?

A
  • Body
  • Ramus
  • Ischial spine
  • Lesser sciatic notch
  • Ischial tuberosity
  • Obturator foramen (posterior half)

The ischium serves as a major site for muscle and ligament attachments.

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10
Q

What is the pubic symphysis?

A

A cartilaginous joint where the two pubic bones articulate

It is located inferior to the pubic symphysis.

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11
Q

What does the anterior longitudinal ligament prevent?

A

Hyperflexion

It runs down the entire vertebral column.

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12
Q

What are the boundaries of the pelvic inlet?

A

Posterior - Sacral promontory & sacral wings
Lateral - arcuate line on the inner surface of the ilium, and the pectineal line on the superior pubic ramus
Anterior - Pubic symphysis

The pelvic inlet is a bony ring.

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13
Q

True or False: The greater pelvis is superior to the pelvic brim.

A

True

It contains the urinary bladder when full and the uterus during pregnancy.

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14
Q

What are the boundaries of the lesser pelvis?

A

• Posterior: sacrum and coccyx
• Lateral: inferior portion of ilium and ischium
• Anterior: pubic bones

The lesser pelvis is located inferior to the pelvic brim.

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15
Q

What characterizes an anthropoid pelvis?

A

• Long, narrow, oval inlet
• Wide sacrosciatic notch
• Long, narrow sacrum
• Straight side walls

This pelvic type is often associated with certain anatomical variations.

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16
Q

What are the characteristics of a gynecoid pelvis?

A

• Round, slightly ovoid or elliptical inlet
• Adequate sacrosciatic notch
• Wide interspinous diameters (≥10cm)

This type is most favorable for childbirth.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: The pelvic outlet is ______ shaped.

A

diamond

The pelvic outlet has specific boundaries.

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18
Q

What is the purpose of pelvic measurements?

A

To determine disproportion between the fetal head and the pelvis

These measurements are crucial in assessing birth readiness.

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19
Q

What happens during an AP compression injury?

A

• Pubic symphysis breaks
• Tearing of posterior ligamentous complex
• May rupture venous plexus/internal iliac artery

This injury is often a result of road traffic accidents.

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20
Q

What occurs in a lateral compression injury?

A

• Internal rotation of hemi-pelvis
• Fractures around pubis
• Genito-urinary system injury

This type of injury is more common, occurring in 60-70% of cases.

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21
Q

How does a shear force injury occur?

A

• Road traffic accident
• Falling from a height onto one limb

This mechanism causes major instability.

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22
Q

What is a combination injury in the pelvis?

A

Involves AP compression, lateral compression, and shear force injuries

Each type has its own risks and implications for treatment.

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23
Q

What are the two subdivisions of the pelvis?

A

Greater pelvis and lesser pelvis

The pelvis is divided into these two parts based on anatomical structures.

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24
Q

What surrounds the greater pelvis?

A

Superior pelvic girdle

The superior pelvic girdle provides structural support for the greater pelvis.

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25
What does the greater pelvis protect?
Inferior abdominal viscera ## Footnote The protection provided is similar to that of the superior abdominal viscera by the inferior thoracic cage.
26
What surrounds the lesser pelvis?
Inferior pelvic girdle ## Footnote The inferior pelvic girdle provides the skeletal framework for the pelvic cavity and perineum.
27
What are the compartments of the trunk separated by?
Musculofascial pelvic diaphragm ## Footnote This diaphragm separates the pelvic cavity from the perineum.
28
Which areas externally cover the pelvis?
- Inferior anterolateral abdominal wall - gluteal region - perineum ## Footnote These regions overlap and protect the pelvis from external forces.
29
What does the term perineum refer to?
* The shallow compartment of the body bounded by the pelvic outlet * Separated from the pelvic cavity by the fascia covering the inferior aspect of the pelvic diaphragm, which is formed by the levator ani and coccygeus muscles
30
What structures are included in the perineum?
* Anus * External genitalia (penis, scrotum, vulva) ## Footnote The perineum encompasses both the anus and external genitalia in males and females.
31
Fill in the blank: The greater pelvis is occupied by _______.
Inferior abdominal viscera ## Footnote This occupation is crucial for the protection of these organs.
32
What is the pelvic girdle?
A basin-shaped ring of bones connecting the vertebral column to the two femurs. ## Footnote The pelvic girdle supports the weight of the upper body and facilitates locomotion.
33
What are the primary functions of the pelvic girdle?
* **Bear the weight** of the upper body when sitting and standing * **Transfer weight** from the axial to the lower appendicular skeleton * Provide attachment for powerful muscles of **locomotion and posture** * **Contain and protect** pelvic and inferior abdominal viscera * **Support** the abdominopelvic viscera and gravid uterus * Provide **attachment** for erectile bodies of external genitalia * Form the **pelvic floor** and fill gaps around it
34
How many bones form the pelvic girdle in mature individuals?
Three bones: right and left hip bones and sacrum. ## Footnote The hip bones are formed from the fusion of ilium, ischium, and pubis.
35
What are the names of the three bones that fuse to form each hip bone?
* Ilium * Ischium * Pubis
36
What is the pubic symphysis?
A secondary cartilaginous joint where right and left hip bones are joined anteriorly. ## Footnote This joint allows for slight movement and is important during childbirth.
37
What are the two divisions of the pelvis?
* Greater pelvis (false pelvis) * Lesser pelvis (true pelvis)
38
What is the pelvic brim?
The bony edge surrounding and defining the pelvic inlet. ## Footnote It is formed by the promontory and ala of the sacrum and the linea terminalis.
39
What are the boundariers of the pelvic outlet?
* Anteriorly - Pubic arch * Laterally - Ischial tuberosities * Posterolaterally - Inferior margin of the sacrotuberous ligament * Posteriorly - Tip of the coccyx
40
What is the difference between greater and lesser pelvis?
* Greater pelvis is superior to the pelvic inlet and contains abdominal viscera; * Lesser pelvis is between the pelvic inlet and outlet and includes the true pelvic cavity. ## Footnote The lesser pelvis is significant in obstetrics and gynecology.
41
What are the sexual differences in the pelvic girdle?
* Male pelvis: thick and heavy, narrow and deep lesser pelvis, heart-shaped pelvic inlet * Female pelvis: thin and light, wide and shallow lesser pelvis, oval pelvic inlet
42
What are the primary joints of the pelvic girdle?
* Sacro-iliac joints * Pubic symphysis
43
What is the role of the sacro-iliac joints?
They link the axial skeleton to the inferior appendicular skeleton and transmit weight from the body to the hip bones. ## Footnote These joints allow limited mobility necessary for stability.
44
True or False: The pelvic girdle is more rigid than the pectoral girdle.
True
45
Fill in the blank: The __________ forms the floor of the true pelvic cavity.
musculofascial pelvic diaphragm ## Footnote Formed primarily by the Levator ani & Coccygeus muscles
46
What is the shape of the pelvic inlet in males?
* Heart-shaped * Narrow
47
What is the shape of the pelvic inlet in females?
Oval and rounded; wide.
48
What are the features of the ilium?
* Superior, fan-shaped part of the hip bone * Iliac crest * Iliac fossa * Auricular surface * Iliac tuberosity
49
What is the ischial tuberosity?
The large postero-inferior protuberance of the ischium. ## Footnote It serves as a point of attachment for muscles and ligaments.
50
What determines the width of the subpubic angle?
The distance between the right and left ischial tuberosities.
51
What is the plural of ilium?
ilia
52
What ligaments attach the sacrum to the iliac bones?
* Anterior Sacroiliac * Posterior Sacroiliac * Interosseous Sacroiliac * Sacrotuberous * Sacrospinus
53
What type of joint is the sacro-iliac joint?
synovial joint
54
What is the primary function of the interosseous sacro-iliac ligaments?
Transferring weight from the axial skeleton to the ilia
55
True or False: The anterior sacro-iliac ligaments are the posterior external continuation of fibrous tissue.
False
56
What do the iliolumbar ligaments serve as in the sacro-iliac joint mechanism?
Accessory ligaments
57
What ligament transforms the sciatic notch into a large sciatic foramen?
sacrotuberous ligament
58
What are the two foramina created by the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments?
greater and lesser sciatic foramina
59
What type of movements are allowed at the sacro-iliac joint?
Slight gliding and rotary movements
60
What happens to the sacrum during exceptional force transmission from the lumbar vertebrae?
The superior end of the sacrum is pushed inferiorly and anteriorly
61
What helps prevent the superior and posterior rotation of the sacrum?
sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments
62
What does the pubic symphysis consist of?
A fibrocartilaginous interpubic disc and surrounding ligaments
63
What is the difference in the interpubic disc between men and women?
It is generally wider in women
64
What are the two ligaments associated with the pubic symphysis?
* Superior pubic ligament * Inferior (arcuate) pubic ligament
65
How do the iliolumbar ligaments contribute to the lumbosacral joints?
They strengthen the joints by radiating from the transverse processes of L5 to the ilia
66
What type of joint is the sacrococcygeal joint?
secondary cartilaginous joint
67
What reinforces the sacrococcygeal joint?
Anterior and posterior sacrococcygeal ligaments
68
Fill in the blank: The _______ connects the superior aspects of the pubic bodies.
superior pubic ligament
69
What is the role of the interpubic disc in the pubic symphysis?
Unites the bodies of the pubic bones in the median plane
70
Fill in the blank: The inferior pubic ligament rounds off the _______ as it forms the apex of the pubic arch.
subpubic angle
71
What is the normal female pelvic type called?
Gynecoid pelvis ## Footnote The gynecoid pelvis typically has a rounded oval shape and a wide transverse diameter.
72
What are the common types of pelvic shapes in males?
* Android * Anthropoid ## Footnote These shapes are most common in males according to the variations in pelvic types.
73
What is the narrowest fixed distance through which a baby's head must pass during vaginal delivery?
True (obstetrical) conjugate ## Footnote This is measured from the middle of the sacral promontory to the posterosuperior margin of the pubic symphysis.
74
How is the diagonal conjugate measured?
By palpating the sacral promontory and marking the level of the pubic symphysis ## Footnote The distance between the tip of the index finger and the marked level estimates the true conjugate.
75
What is the interspinous distance in the pelvic canal?
The narrowest part of the pelvic canal ## Footnote This distance is not fixed and can change during late pregnancy.
76
What type of trauma commonly produces fractures of the pubic rami?
Anteroposterior (AP) compression of the pelvis ## Footnote This can occur during crush accidents.
77
Which areas of the pelvis are weak and prone to fractures?
* Pubic rami * Acetabula * Sacro-iliac joints * Alae of the ilium ## Footnote These are common sites for fractures due to their structural vulnerabilities.
78
What can pelvic fractures cause in terms of injury?
Injury to pelvic...: - Soft tissues - Blood vessels - Nerves - Organs ## Footnote This includes potential ruptures or tears in the urinary bladder and urethra.
79
What happens to the pelvic ligaments during late pregnancy?
They relax due to increased levels of sex hormones and relaxin ## Footnote This relaxation allows for increased movement at the pelvic joints.
80
What is spondylolysis?
a stress fracture or defect in the pars interarticularis (a part of the vertebra that connects the facet joints at the back of the spine) often resulting from repetitive stress
81
What occurs in spondylolisthesis? ## Footnote In Childbirth
The body of L5 vertebra may slide anteriorly on the sacrum ## Footnote This can reduce the AP diameter of the pelvic inlet and interfere with childbirth.
82
How do obstetricians test for spondylolisthesis?
By running fingers along the lumbar spinous processes ## Footnote An abnormally prominent L5 process suggests anterior movement relative to the sacrum.
83
What is the primary focus of attention in forensic medicine regarding skeletal remains?
Diagnosis of sex through the pelvic girdle ## Footnote Sexual differences in the pelvic girdle are usually clearly visible.
84
What can cause pelvic fractures aside from direct trauma?
Forces transmitted from the lower limbs during falls ## Footnote This includes falls on the feet.
85
What anatomical changes occur to the interpubic disc during pregnancy?
It increases in size, contributing to increased flexibility of the pubic symphysis ## Footnote This change facilitates the passage of the fetus.
86
What is the effect of relaxation of sacro-iliac ligaments during pregnancy?
Greater rotation of the pelvis and increased lordotic posture ## Footnote This occurs due to the change in the center of gravity.

Anatomy of the Trunk (12 decks)

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