The anatomy of the hip joint, when examined carefully, is a rather complex structure. Moreover, the structure of the hip joint and pelvic bone can change greatly with age. For example, in infants, the structure of the hip joint changes as they mature and grow. Initially, the articulation of the pelvis and pelvic bone can be called immature, because the ligamentous apparatus of the hip joint, which is part of it, is excessively flexible and elastic. In addition, researchers have found that in infants the socket of the hip joint is denser. This underdevelopment then disappears in humans. The articulation area is located lateral to the gluteal region, below the crest of the ischium.
The main function performed by the articulation of bones is to support the weight of the body when static and dynamic loads are placed on it. In addition to this function, the joint takes an active part in maintaining the balance of loads exerted on the body while maintaining balance in the body.
The structure of the pelvic apparatus
The anatomy of the human pelvis is quite complex. The pelvis includes two innominate bones. They are conventionally called right-handed and left-handed (located to the right and left relative to the axis).
The pelvis is classified according to size and shape. If there is a diagram of the structure of the hip joint and pelvis at different ages, then you can clearly see on what principles the classification of articular joints is carried out. Until the age of 15, the hip system has three bones: the pubis, the ischium and the ilium. This underdevelopment in humans goes away over the years. These bone structures are conventionally called the innominate pelvic bone.
Bones and ligaments of the joint
The head of each femoral bone of the pelvis is connected to the adjacent bones by the human hip joint. The diagram shows that in the area of the acetabulum there is an articulation of three bones with the help of cartilage. The acetabulum is the junction of the femur and pelvic bones. As we grow older, all three bones of the hip system come together. The head of the pelvic bone is carefully covered with elastic, smooth connective tissue of the hip joint.
Narrowing of the joint space may indicate significant changes in the structure and shape of the cartilage. With arthrosis, a slight narrowing of the joint space will be visible on the x-ray. This is the first sign, because... At this stage, restrictions in movements are not yet observed.
As the structure diagram shows, the bone closest to the spine is the ilium. Its head connects to the sacrum and two other bones of the hip apparatus. The bone itself has a rounded shape with two protrusions.
The structure of the ischium in the design of the hip apparatus is as follows: the main body is connected from above to the ilium and individual processes. In addition, the ischium connects to the pubis (its process, horizontal lobe). Inside this cavity, which is formed by these three bones, is the head of the femur.
The pubic bone of the hip apparatus consists of a main body and two branches. The branches form a cavity, which is covered by a membrane.
Pelvic arteries
The artery of the hip apparatus is called the common iliac. It branches into two vessels. This occurs due to the division of the aorta. So, where the articulation of the sacrum and the hip apparatus is located, the branches of the artery give rise to two more paired vessels that intertwine it.
Blood vessels supplying the pelvic joint
The external artery is the main vessel; it supplies blood to the lower extremities. In the area of the hip joint, other branches of vessels depart from it, which pass further into the joints, muscles of the legs, abdomen and to the genitals. Then the vessel passes into the femoral artery, from which the following branches pass:
- The deep femoral artery is the largest vessel, which is divided into the lateral and medial arteries. They bend around the thigh and conduct blood to the pelvis and thighs.
- The epigastric superficial artery, which bends around the abdominal muscles in this place.
- Artery near the ilium.
- Genital arteries, which are external and supply the genitals with blood.
- The inguinal arteries, which are responsible for the groin area, skin and lymph nodes in the area.
The second (internal) artery is located in the pelvis. The lumbar arteries, sacral, gluteal, umbilical, vas deferens, genital arteries and rectal arteries depart from it.
Pelvic joint
The structure of the pelvic joint is very complex. The articulation is formed by the head of the femur and the socket formed by the pelvic bones (acetabulum). The surface of the hip joint in the acetabulum is covered with a layer of cartilage tissue only in a certain area of the hip joint. At the articulation site, the femur is covered with a thin layer of cartilage tissue. The hip joint connects its constituent bones into a single structure. Inside the cavity there is loose connective tissue. It is covered with a synovial bursa. At the edges of the cavity there are lips measuring 5 mm. They are formed from collagen connective fibers. Due to this, there are no voids between the bones, and the head of the femur fits tightly. The hip joint is the largest bone joint in the human musculoskeletal system. The hip bone, part of the joint of the same name, is the largest bone in the body.
Hip injuries have always been difficult to treat, so it is better to know the basics and try not to injure yourself. The pelvic joints are quite fragile due to their specific structure and the loads that are placed on the joint during life.
The hip joint capsule has a high level of structural strength. The capsule is attached to the pelvic bone behind and in front of the lips of the hip joint. As a result of this design, it turns out that the neck is almost completely located in the capsule of the hip joint. The iliopsoas muscle is attached to the capsule. The capsule in this place becomes thinner, so additional synovial fibers of the hip joint are most often formed.
This cavity contains the ligament of the femoral head. It consists of loose fibers, and is covered on top with synovial fibers of the connective tissue of the hip joint. This ligament also contains vessels that lead to the femur. The ligament can stretch quite easily, so its mechanical and protective value is not very great for the hip joint. The main function of this ligament is to connect the bones that make up the hip apparatus.
The iliac femoral ligament is considered the strongest not only among the ligaments that make up the hip joint, but also in the entire body as a whole. Its thickness can reach one centimeter. The ligament prevents the hip from fully internally rotating or extending.
The ischial femoral ligament can be considered less developed. It is much weaker; this ligament is located behind the hip joint. The anatomical location of this ligament is due to the fact that it provides stability to the body's hip apparatus when the femur is displaced inward.
The pubic femoral ligament is located at the bottom of the hip apparatus. This is a very thin bundle of connective fibers that does not allow hip abduction.
Injuries to the hip system mainly occur due to fractures and cracks of the bone in this area or due to problems with the ligaments or the entire hip joint in general. Wear of cartilage leads to many complications in movement.
Surgical intervention
Pelvic osteotomy is a surgical procedure to treat hip dysplasia. This pathological change can occur from birth and consists in the fact that the acetabulum of the hip joint is modified.
This can lead to the development of pelvic diseases, frequent subluxations, problems with the femur and gait disturbances. Osteotomy is aimed at creating additional bone structure of the hip joint, which will help fix the femur more firmly. Then no collateral damage will occur.
If something hurts after surgery, you need to be examined again. Osteotomy can only be performed after reaching the age of 10 years. But if arthritis develops, then an operation such as an osteotomy is prohibited.
Causes of pain
If your pelvis hurts, you should consult a doctor, because... violations can be of a very different nature. Modern doctors list a large list of possible causes of pain in the hip joint and pelvic bones. Most often, pain is caused by injuries and systematic diseases of the hip system.
Pain due to injury is the most common cause of pain in the hip joint and pelvic bones. If the pain does not subside within a week after a blow or fall, then you need to call a doctor. A neurologist and chiropractor will help in this process and prescribe a course of treatment. Falls and unsuccessful movements can cause fractures of the hip bones, cracks, and dislocations of the joint. In case of sharp and severe pain, it is necessary to protect the pelvis and lower limbs from movement, apply cold, and drink an anesthetic until a full diagnosis of the problem of the hip joint is established.
In systemic diseases, inflammation of the connective fibers occurs. This means that an infection has begun to develop in the body or it may be a symptom of another disease. Such pain can be caused by osteoarthritis, infectious arthritis and osteoarthritis. In addition, pain can be caused by disturbances in the blood vessels of the pelvic structure. Pain can also be caused by tumors in the joint.
It is better not to self-medicate. Based on the nature of the pain, it is difficult to make a diagnosis and prognosis, and some medications, on the contrary, can only cause harm. The pelvic complex is very complex, so you need to see a doctor.
If the anatomical elements of the hip joint are damaged, an early visit to a medical specialist is required in order to carry out rehabilitation measures, since long-standing injuries to this bone joint can cause a huge amount of trouble in the process of human life.
The bones of the pelvic girdle form a kind of cup that protects and supports the organs of the lower abdominal cavity. The skeleton of the pelvic girdle is much larger, more massive and stronger than the shoulder girdle, since it has to withstand a greater load.
They experience enormous stress, especially if a person is overweight. That's why it's so important to know how to provide maximum protection for your hip joint and maintain its mobility for many years.
How do the hip joints work?
With the help of the pelvis, a person’s legs are connected to the body. The hip joints are paired. Each of them connects two movable bones - the femur and pelvis. The pelvic bone, the anatomy of which is formed by fused flat bones, serves as a support for the spine and internal organs. The hip joint has a ball-and-socket type, thus providing mobility of the leg in any direction, as well as its flexion and extension.
Detailed anatomy of the pelvis
The strongest and longest bone in the human body is the femur. At the upper end it bends inward, forming a narrow neck bearing a spherical head. The head itself is covered with articular cartilage and is placed in a cup-shaped acetabulum on the lateral surface of the pelvic bone. The cavity is enlarged by a cartilaginous ring along its edge - the acetabular lip, which covers the head of the femur.
Outside, the joint is surrounded by a capsule of fibrous connective tissue, lined from the inside with a synovial membrane. This thin mucous membrane provides nutrition and lubrication to the cartilage by secreting synovial fluid. The capsule itself is strengthened by ligaments between the femur and pelvic bones. Together they hold the femoral head firmly in the acetabulum.
The femoral head is the spherical end of the femur, located in the deep articular cavity of the pelvis. Dislocation in this location is extremely rare, but the problem is in the thin neck of the femur, which often breaks due to injury or when the bone tissue becomes thin and brittle. This often happens in old age.
Pelvic bones
The basis of the pelvis is the sacrum, coccyx and pelvic bones. Together with the joints of the lower extremities, they form a bone ring. Inside its cavity are the internal organs. The pelvic bone, the anatomy of which includes three more, the pubis and the ilium), has a cartilaginous connection until the age of 18. Later, ossification occurs and the three bones above fuse together.
The lower part of the pelvis is formed by the ischium and bone. The anatomy shows their connection in the form of a loop.
The ilium is wide and wing-shaped. It makes up the upper part of the hip joint and can be easily felt just below the person’s waist. At the junction of all three bones there is This is what the normal anatomy of the pelvic bone looks like.
Loads on the pelvic area
It has been known since ancient times that the heaviest loads fall on the pelvic bones. Detailed anatomy of the pelvis confirms this with the rapid “wear and tear” of the hip joints. The pressure on them often exceeds the weight of the human body itself. And this happens every day: when walking, running, and even while simply standing on your feet. This is natural human anatomy.
The pelvic bone, depending on the position of the body, can experience different weight loads. For example, when walking at a speed of 1 km/h, the load on each hip joint is approximately 280% of body weight, at a speed of 4 km/h the load increases to 480%, and when jogging it is 550%. When a person trips, the load on a joint increases to 870% of body weight.
Women have a wider pelvic bone. The anatomy is slightly different from the male one. Therefore, the range of vibrations when walking is greater, hence the swaying of the hips is more noticeable. on average wider, but lower than men's. It has a much larger lower part, as nature intended, because the baby moves through it during childbirth.
During normal walking, each hip joint experiences a load that exceeds 2-3 times the body weight. When climbing stairs, it exceeds body weight by 4-6 times.
Maintaining healthy pelvic bones
One of the main conditions for the health of the pelvic bones is maintaining normal body weight. With every extra kilogram of body weight, the load on both hip joints increases by 2 kg when walking, by 5 kg when lifting and by 10 kg when running and jumping. And excess load means daily wear and tear of the articular cartilage and the risk of osteoarthritis. By losing weight, a person protects the joint from premature wear.
For hip diseases, regular light exercise on a bike or an exercise bike is helpful as it helps maintain mobility. If walking is too painful, swimming will provide a good workout. In this case, the body weight does not put pressure on the sore joint. After a fracture, as soon as the doctor allows, it is also necessary to gradually load the pelvic bones to restore strength and flexibility.
The strength of bones, including the pelvic bone, is known to decrease with age, especially in women during menopause. The main preventative measure is to maintain bone strength by eating calcium-rich foods. The highest amounts of calcium are found in full-fat dairy products, legumes, fish, green vegetables, nuts and fruits.
The pelvic area includes the pelvic bones, sacrum, coccyx, as well as ligaments, joints and membranes. Some experts also include the buttock area.
The article discusses the anatomy of the pelvis: muscles, genital and excretory organs.
Pelvic skeletal system
The pelvic skeleton consists of the pelvic bones, the sacrum and the coccygeal bone. Each of them is firmly fixed. The ilium, as well as the coccygeal bone, articulates with the sacrum.
The pelvis is divided into large and small sections.
The first consists of the sides with the wings of the ilium. On the inner surface there is the iliac fossa, and on the outside there are the gluteal fossae.
The small pelvis consists of a cylindrical cavity with upper and lower openings (that is, inlet and outlet).
The coccygeal bone is slightly mobile, which helps women during childbirth. The bony anatomy of the pelvis has the following differences in men and women:
- the male pelvis is long and narrow, in women it is shorter and wider;
- the male pelvic cavity has a conical shape, the female pelvic cavity is cylindrical;
- The wings of the ilium are more vertical in men, and more horizontal in women;
- the branches of the pubic bones in men make an angle of 70-75 degrees, in women - 90-100 degrees;
- in men the shape of the entrance resembles a heart (as on cards), in women it is round, although it happens that in women there is an entrance like a “card heart”.
Ligaments
Well-developed ligaments fix four of which are discussed above. Three joints help connect them to each other: the pubic fusion (two unpaired), the sacroiliac (pair) and the sacrococcygeal fusion.
One is located on the top edge, the other on the bottom. The third ligaments strengthen the joints of the sacrum and ilium.
Muscular system of the pelvis
In this section, the anatomy of the pelvis is presented by the parietal and visceral muscles. In the first part, in the large pelvis there is a muscle consisting of three interconnected m.iliacus, m.psoas major and m.psoas minor. In the small pelvis, the same parietal muscles are represented by the piriformis, obturator internus and coccygeus muscles.
Visceral muscles take part in the formation. It includes paired and unpaired m.sphincter ani extremus.
Here are the pubococcygeus muscle, the iliococcygeus muscle, as well as the powerfully developed orbicularis muscle of the distal part of the rectum.
Blood supply and lymphatic system
Blood enters the pelvis (anatomy here involves the participation of the pelvic walls and internal organs) from the hypogastric artery. It is divided first into anterior and posterior, and then into other branches.
Blood enters the soft tissues of the pelvis through a single vessel a.iliolumbalis, which branches into two terminal branches.
The walls of the pelvis are supplied by four arteries:
- lateral sacral;
- obturator;
- superior gluteal;
- inferior gluteal.
The vessels of the abdominal walls and retroperitoneal space are involved in the roundabout circulation. In the circuitous venous circle, the main veins pass between the large and small pelvis. There are abundant venous anastomoses located next to the wall of the rectum and in its thickness, as well as under the peritoneum of the pelvis. When large pelvic veins are blocked, the veins of the spine, lower back, anterior abdominal wall and retroperitoneal tissue serve as indirect routes.
The anatomy of the pelvis, like other systems, suggests variability in the morphology of blood vessels in the lymph.
The main lymphatic collectors from the pelvic organs are the iliac lymphatic plexuses, which divert lymph.
Lymphatic vessels under the peritoneum mainly pass at the level of the middle floor of the pelvis.
Innervation
The nerves in this area are divided into:
- somatic;
- autonomic (parasympathetic and sympathetic).
The somatic nerve system is represented by those connected to the lumbar. Sympathetic - the sacral part of the border trunks and the unpaired coccygeal ganglion. Parasympathetic nerves are nn.pelvici s.splanchnici sacrales.
Buttocks
The anatomy of the gluteal region is often not included in the pelvis. However, topographically it should be classified here and not to the lower extremities. Therefore, we will briefly touch on this too.
The gluteal region is bounded above by the iliac crest, and below by the gluteal fold, under which is the gluteal groove. On the lateral side, you can imagine a vertical line of a row of bones, and on the medial side, both areas are separated by the intergluteal gap.
Let's look at the anatomy here layer by layer:
- the skin of this area is thick and dense;
- well-developed subcutaneous tissue with superficial, middle and lower nerves;
- then follows the superficial plate of the gluteal fascia;
- gluteus maximus muscle;
- plate of the gluteal fascia;
- fatty tissue between the large muscle and the middle layer of muscle;
- middle layer of muscles;
- deep layer of muscles;
- bones.
Excretory organs
The anatomy of the pelvis includes an unpaired muscular organ - the bladder. It consists of an apex, body, bottom and neck. One department here merges into another. The fundus is fixed with a urogenital diaphragm. When the bladder begins to fill, its shape becomes ovoid. When the bladder is empty, the shape is close to saucer-shaped.
The blood supply comes from the hypogastric artery system, and the venous outflow is directed into the dense cystic plexus, which is adjacent to the lateral surfaces and the prostate gland.
Innervation is carried out by somatic and autonomic fibers.
The rectum begins to develop from embryonic rudiments. The upper section is derived from the endoderm, and the lower section appears by incising from the surface of the ectodermal layer.
The rectum is located at the level of the posterior pelvis. It is divided into three sections: upper, middle and lower.
The muscles on the outside are represented by powerful longitudinal fibers, and on the inside by circular fibers. The mucosa consists of numerous folds. The innervation here is similar to that in the bladder.
Reproductive system
Without the reproductive system, it is impossible to consider the pelvis (structure). The anatomy of this region in both sexes consists of the gonad, Wolffian body, canal, Müllerian duct, urogenital sinus and genital tubercles, folds and ridges.
The sex gland is laid in the lower back and turns into a testicle or ovary, respectively. The Wolffian body, canal and Müllerian duct are also formed here. However, the Müllerian canals are further differentiated in the female sex, and the Wolffian body and ducts in the male sex.
The remaining rudiments are reflected on the external organs.
The testicle and ovary grow behind the peritoneum.
The male reproductive system is represented by:
- testicular integument, consisting of skin, tunica dartos, Cooper's fascia, cremaster, common and proper tunica vaginalis, tunica albuginea;
- seminal gland;
- lymphatic system;
- an appendage consisting of three sections (head, body and tail);
- spermatic cord;
- seminal vesicles (hollow tubes with bay-shaped protrusions);
- (glandular-muscular organ between the diaphragm and the bottom of the bladder);
- the penis, consisting of three sections (root, body and head);
- urethra.
The pelvis includes the reproductive system of:
- uterus (derivative of Müllerian canals);
- ovaries located in a special ovarian fossa;
- fallopian tubes, consisting of four sections (funnel, dilated part, isthmus and part piercing the wall);
- vagina;
- external genitalia, consisting of the labia majora and vulva.
Crotch
This area is located from the pubic hill to the top of the coccygeal bone of the pelvis.
The anatomy of the perineum in both men and women is divided into 2 areas: the pudendal (anterior) and the anal (posterior). In front of the region corresponds to the genitourinary triangle, and behind it corresponds to the rectal triangle.
Conclusion
This is the structure that represents the pelvis as a whole. The anatomy of this region is certainly a complex system. The article gives only a brief overview of what it consists of and how it works.
The pelvic bone is a reliable support for the entire human skeleton, as well as a strong structure for protecting the organs that are located in the lower abdomen. The anatomy of the pelvic bones is of particular interest due to their structure and the time required for the final formation of the structures.
Anatomy of the pelvic bone
Each pelvic bone is divided into the following three:
- The ilium is an opening bone that forms the upper pelvic lobe of the bone. You can feel (touch) it by simply placing your hands on your hips.
- The ischium is the part of the hip bone that is located at the back below, resembling an arch in appearance.
- Pubic - the anterior lobe of the base of the pelvic bones.
When connected, these bones create the acetabulum, the main socket that houses the head of the femur.
In childhood (up to 16–18 years), these bones are united with each other by cartilage; at an older age (after 18 years), this tissue hardens and gradually turns into a solid bone, which is called the pelvic bone. The photo shows the body of the ischium.
Interesting! At the base of the ischium there are tubercles - rough, thickened bones. They are popularly called sitting bones because in a sitting position, the human weight is distributed on the pelvic bones.
Normal pelvic anatomy
The pubic joint in front and the sacroiliac joints, which are formed from the ear-shaped plane of the back of the bone and the base of the sacrum, are the normal anatomy of the pelvic bone. In the video you can see in detail the structure of the human pelvis.
Anatomically, the pelvis is divided into two sections:
- Large - an extremely large part of the bone (located at the top of the pelvis).
- The small pelvis is its narrow part (located at the bottom of the pelvis).
Both pelvises are conventionally separated by the so-called boundary line, running along the top of the sacrum, then to the arcuate contour of the ilium, which also covers the outer part of the pubic bone and the symphysis of the same name.
Numerous muscles of the abdominal cavity, back and spine are attached to these bones on both sides. Some leg muscles originate from them. Thus, a muscular frame is obtained.
The structure of the small and large pelvis
The pelvis is a constituent part of the lower region of the human skeleton. In addition to the coccyx and sacrum, it is formed by two pelvic bones. In addition to the bones, the pelvic joints and ligaments act as support for the entire body.
The large pelvis is open in the front, with the planes of the ilium on both sides, and the lumbar vertebrae and the place where the sacrum forms at the back.
The small pelvis is a cylindrical space, on the sides of which are the lower parts of the ilium and ischium. The pubic bones form the anterior walls of the pelvis, while the posterior ones are made up of the bones of the sacrum and coccyx.
Converting large to small creates an overhead passage. And the lower passage is made of the pubic bones, coccyx and ischial tuberosities.
Pelvic joints and ligaments
The hip joint has a complex structure and performs an extremely important function in human life. Thanks to this connection, a person can perform the following actions:
- walk;
- stand;
- sit;
- run;
- jump;
- tilt.
The joint consists of the head of the femur and the acetabulum. Those parts of the recess that are in close contact with the femoral head are densely covered with cartilage tissue. In the middle part of the acetabulum there is a fossa, which at the bottom is filled with connective tissue and surrounded by a synovial membrane. It is in this fossa that the ligament of the femoral head is attached.
Experts distinguish the following types of ligaments:
- Iliofemoral ligament. The most stable and dense ligament in the human body, its fullness reaches 1 cm.
- The pubo-ischial - femoral ligament is much less developed than the previous one. Since this ligament originates from the ischium, which forms the acetabulum, it is located behind the joint.
- The circular ligament is a collection of collagen strands that fill the joint capsule. These strands cover the neckline of the thigh.
Nature has designed joints this way to protect them from damage during movement. Therefore, I placed the ligaments in the metaphysis of the joints, allowing the leg to turn to the right or left.
Each link is responsible for a specific function:
- Thanks to the iliofemoral ligament, a person has the ability to stand upright and not fall backward.
- The puboischiofemoral ligament promotes rotation and lateral abduction of the lower extremities.
- Thanks to the orbicularis ligaments, the femoral neck is fixed.
Hip ligament bands are designed to reduce displacement of the hip joint.
Features of the pelvic structure in children
The structure of the pelvic bone continues as the child grows. Moreover, this structure proceeds unevenly, as if in intervals, from the stage of rapid to the stage of slow growth.
At the moment of birth, almost all the bones of a newborn consist of cartilage tissue. Ossified tissue is expressed only in small areas of the hip bones, which are located at a distance from one another. That is why the human pelvic bones in childhood are most similar to a funnel-shaped depression.
Interesting! According to the sexual type, bones will begin to form only during puberty.
On average, the pelvic bone in boys up to 3 years of age develops much more rapidly than in girls, but by about 6 years, girls catch up with boys in development, and by about 10 years, the pelvic bones in girls significantly exceed their rate of development in boys.
Around the age of 13-14, small gender differences in bones begin to appear, and by the age of 18 these differences are clearly visible. The structure of the pelvic bones in men is completed closer to 23 years, in women - 25 years.
Features of the pelvic bones in women and men and their differences
In both men and women, all bones are almost the same, with the exception of the pelvic bones. They are unique in their kind and have quite a few distinctive sexual characteristics, especially the pelvis.
Interesting! Men's pelvic bones are narrower and higher, while women's are wider and located slightly lower. In men they are thicker, in women they are thinner.
The structure of the female pelvic bones has the following differences:
- They are wider and denser, the convexity is less pronounced.
- The pubic bones are articulated at a right angle (90-100 degrees).
- The gluteal tuberosities and iliac planes of the bones are located distant from each other. This distance reaches from 25 to 27 cm.
- The lumen of the lower pelvis is wider and somewhat resembles an oval in appearance, the size of the pelvis is also somewhat larger, and the inclined plane of the pelvis is 55-60°C.
Also, the small pelvis performs the most important function of the birth canal in the female body.
The structure of the male pelvic bones has the following differences:
- The pelvis is more pronounced with a promontory and an acute subpubic angle; it is 72-75°C.
- The iliac planes and ischial tuberosities are placed closer to each other.
- The distance between the upper iliac spines is approximately 22–23 cm,
- The lumen of the lower part of the pelvis is narrower and looks like a long oval, the size is smaller, and the angle of inclination is 50-55°C.
Thus, we can safely say that the anatomy of the pelvis, when compared by gender, is very different in men and women, but it all comes down to one thing - size. The female pelvis is larger. This is associated with the birth of children. It is the wide pelvis that is needed for the normal course of labor, because during birth the child passes through the hole (aperture) in its lower region.
Pathological anatomy
There are quite a lot of bone anomalies and they depend on a variety of factors, ranging from intrauterine bone underdevelopment (most often found in premature babies) and ending with injuries (dislocations, fractures), which subsequently led to pathology of the pelvic bones.
The most common anomalies are a wide, narrow or deformed pelvis.
- Wide. Today, a clinically and anatomically wide pelvis is distinguished. This pathology is most likely in tall, overweight people.
- Narrow. Just like wide, they are divided into clinically and anatomically narrow. The causes of a narrow pelvis may be impaired development inside the womb, insufficient nutrition, or some serious diseases, for example, rickets.
- Deformation (displacement of bones). In 99% of cases, displacement occurs in the baby’s body at birth (if the child’s mother has deformed pelvic bones, then the child’s bones, as they pass through the birth canal, become bent and displaced, not only in the pelvis, but also in the entire skeleton). This pathology is transmitted from mother to child. And in only 1% of patients, pelvic deformation occurred as a result of injury.
- Aplasia or hypoplasia - this disease, transmitted by inheritance, is quite rare, characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of one of the pelvic bones.
- Deep acetabulum - the head of the femur is located more deeply. The pathology can be either unilateral or bilateral (most common).
- Divergence of the pubic symphysis is most often observed in patients with disorders of the central nervous system, exstrophy of the bladder or spinal column.
A clearer idea of the degree of anomaly is provided by X-ray data.
Rare anomalies
Sometimes the following types of deformations occur:
- Funnel-shaped - determined by a decrease in the size of the pelvis from the entrance to the exit.
- Hypoplastic. The pelvic bones are evenly narrowed on both sides.
- Infantile. Uniformly anatomically narrowed pelvis, characteristic of childhood.
- Dwarf. The most complex type of infantile pelvis.
- Oblique. There is an uneven narrowing of the pelvic bones on both sides, often caused by curvature of the spine.
- Lordotic. Anatomically small size of the entrance to the pelvis, predetermined by lordosis in the lumbar region near the sacrum.
- Uniformly tapered. The same pelvis on both sides.
- Scoliotic. The pelvic contraction is caused by scoliosis in the lumbar region.
- Spondylolisthetic. Pelvis caused by slippage of the fifth lumbar vertebra from the sacrum.
- Flat. This is most often considered to be a pelvis that is reduced in all respects.
The joint itself has a very complex structure, and is characterized by changes throughout life.
The hip bone is considered one of the largest bones in the human body. The femur is a tubular bone, cylindrical in shape, slightly curved in front and widened at the bottom. On the back of the bone is a rough surface to which muscles are attached. The hip joint is formed by the socket and the head of the femur.
The head of the femur is determined in the nearest appendage, which has an articular plane, and it is thanks to it that it is attached to the acetabulum. And it, in turn, is attached to a noticeably pronounced neck, which is placed at an angle of approximately 120-130°C to the axis of the hip bone. Thus, in humans, the pelvic bones support the entire body in movement and ensure normal life activity.
The anatomical structure of the human pelvis resembles a large bowl, which is formed by two pelvic bones, the coccyx and the sacrum. The muscles of the peritoneum, back and legs are attached to the pelvic bones. The abdominal organs, located in the pelvic ring, are protected by these bones and muscles from external influences.
General structure of the pelvis
The two large, innominate pelvic bones come together in front of an area called the symphysis pubis or symphysis pubis. The pubis itself is formed by their convergence. Below is the pubic arch, formed by the angle below the pubis in front of the pelvis. As a rule, in men this arch is narrower than in women. Behind the pubic symphysis, the pelvic bone connects to the coccyx and sacrum. The junction is a flat, wide joint between the wing of the ilium and the sacrum and is called the sacroiliac. Below, behind the sacrum, is the coccyx - the lowest part of the spine, forming the back of the wall of the pelvic ring and representing a rudimentary tail.
Hip bone. Functions
The main function performed by the massive pelvic bones is support. This explains the atypical structure of the pelvic bone. It bears most of the load when the body is in an upright position and allows the body weight to be transferred to the legs with greater reliability. There are left and right innominate pelvic bones. They are the largest skeletal formations in the human body and the main elements of the lower belt. They bear the brunt of the entire upper body. This ensures two other important functions of the pelvic bones - effective movement and upright posture. As a supporting element, the pelvis has high strength and a structure of such a shape that it allows for the protection of internal organs located in its cavity.
Hip bone. Structure
The strongest and largest supporting element of the lower girdle is formed by three separate bones that are fused together. These are the ischium, ilium and pubis or pubis. In childhood, up to about sixteen years of age, these three bones are connected to each other only by cartilage. With age, they fuse and form a single, nameless pelvic bone.
Photos showing the pelvic bones clearly demonstrate the shape and structure of each element of the lower girdle. The upper part of the pelvic bone is formed by the ilium, the lower posterior part is the ischial bone, and the lower anterior part is the pubic or pubic bone.
Like other bones of the skeleton, the pelvic bone has areas to which ligaments and muscles are attached. There are specific roughnesses, protrusions, ridges and tubercles that provide reliable adhesion of muscle fibers to the pelvic ring. For example, the sartorius muscle of the front of the thigh and the inguinal ligament are attached to the bony protrusion of the superior anterior iliac spine on the ilium. The upper part is formed by an extension called the ridge. It is a convex edge extending posteriorly from the forward protruding superior anterior iliac spine. There are two large protrusions on the ischium - the ischial spine and the ischial tuberosity, which bears the main load when the body is sitting.
Just below the middle part of the pelvic bone is the acetabulum, which is a bowl-shaped depression. It forms the part of the hip joint where the head of the femur is located. Below the acetabulum there is a large hole. This formation of the pelvic bone is covered by connective tissue.
Causes of pelvic pain
If you experience discomfort in the lower belt area, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor. This can be not only a surgeon or traumatologist, but also a rheumatologist, oncologist and hematologist. Pain in the pelvic bone can have different causes. And identifying a specific pathology in time is necessary in order to protect yourself from a more serious problem - immobilization.
Ossalgias are specific pains provoked by various diseases that can affect the pelvic bone. These include injuries, infections, inflammation of tendons and joints, and systemic diseases. The pain can intensify both when the pelvic bones themselves and the structures next to them are damaged - muscles, cartilage, tendons or fascia.
Also, the causes of ossalgia can be excessive stress on the pelvic area during training, various tumors, blood diseases, bone metabolism disorders, and taking hormonal medications. Diseases such as osteomyelitis and tuberculosis destroy the tissues that make up the pelvic bone. Photos of bones affected by these infections can provide insight into the consequences of infection and untimely treatment.
Pain in the pelvic bones during pregnancy
The monthly increase in load on the pelvic area during pregnancy and stretching of the uterine ligaments cause discomfort in many women. The uterus is fixed by ligaments that prevent it from moving forward and wandering. But the connective tissue of these ligaments is not very elastic; it does not stretch enough, although the growth of the uterus forces it to do so. This is why the back, legs and pelvic area, including the pelvic bone, may hurt during pregnancy. Its structure differs between women and men, which is associated with childbirth. Pain in the pelvis can sometimes bother you throughout the entire period of bearing a child, but pregnant women, as a rule, gradually get used to it.
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