Pelvis

About the Pelvis

The bony pelvis is a ring formed by the two hip bones at the sides and front and the sacrum and coccyx at the back. Each hip bone is made of three bones, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which fuse during adolescence at the acetabulum, the cup shaped socket of the hip joint. The two pubic bones meet at the front at the pubic symphysis, and the sacrum joins the ilia at the sacroiliac joints. The pelvis transfers the weight of the upper body to the legs when standing and to the ischial tuberosities when sitting, provides attachment for powerful muscles of the trunk and legs, and protects the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum. The female pelvis is typically wider with a rounder inlet, adapted for childbirth, and pelvic shape is one of the most reliable skeletal features for estimating sex in forensic anthropology. Pelvic fractures range from minor fractures in older adults with osteoporosis to severe high energy injuries with major bleeding.