Page 144 - Clinical Anatomy

ECA2 7/18/06 6:43 PM Page 129

Table 2◊Comparison of male and female pelvis.

Male Female
General structure Heavy and thick Light and thin
Joint surfaces Large Small
Muscle attachments Well marked Rather indistinct
False pelvis Deep Shallow
Pelvic inlet Heart shaped Oval
Pelvic canal ‘Long segment of a short cone’ i.e. long ‘Short segment of a long cone’ i.e. short
◊◊and tapered ◊◊with almost parallel sides
Pelvic outlet Comparatively small Comparatively large
1st piece of sacrum The superior surface of the body Oval superior surface of the body
◊◊occupies nearly half the width of ◊◊occupies about one-third the width
◊◊sacrum ◊◊of sacrum
Sacrum Long, narrow, with smooth concavity Short, wide, flat, curving forward in
◊◊lower part
Sacroiliac articular facet Extends well down the 3rd piece of the Extends down only to upper border of
◊◊(auricular surface) ◊◊sacrum ◊◊3rd piece
Subpubic angle (between ‘The angle between the middle and ‘The angle between the thumb and
◊◊inferior pubic rami) ◊◊index finger’ ◊◊index finger’
Inferior pubic ramus Presents a strong everted surface for This marking is not present
◊◊attachment of the crus of the penis
Acetabulum Large Small
Ischial tuberosities Inturned Everted
Obturator foramen Round Oval

Fig. 95 The
measurements of the
female pelvis. (a) The
inlet, (b) the outlet. (c)
Lateral view to show the
diagonal conjugate.