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The female pelvis (gynaecoid pelvis) is well adapted for childbearing by nature. The gynaecoid pelvis has the
characteristics giving rise to no difficulties in childbirth with a normal size baby. The size and shape of the female
pelvis is the most important factor during childbearing and childbirth. Fetal head makes certain movements during its
descent through pelvis so that the smallest diameter of the fetal head is easily brought to the largest diameter of the
bony pelvis.
Pelvic bones:
Pelvic is made up of four bones
1. Two innominate (nameless) bones or hipbones.
2. One sacrum.
3. One coccyx.
II. Sacrum
It is a wedge shaped bone consists of five fused
vertebrae.
Sacral promontory: projects inwards
Sacro iliac joint
Wings of Sacrum or Ala of Sacrum
Hollow of the Sacrum: concave
III. Coccyx
It is a vestigial tail consists of four fused vertebrae
forming a small triangular bone.
It is articulated with the sacrum
Coccyx moves backward during childbirth
Pelvic Joints
Symphysis Pubis
Sacroiliac joint
Sacro coccxygial joint
Pelvic Ligaments
Interpubic ligament
Sacroiliac ligament
Sacro coccxygial ligament
Sacrospinous ligament
Sacrotuberous ligament
Interspinous ligament
Intertuberous ligament
I. Brim
Anterior border: Pubic bone
Posterior border: Sacral promontory and ala of the sacrum
Lateral border: Iliac bones
Brim of the pelvis consisits of:
o Sacral promontory
o Ala of the sacrum
o Sacro iliac joint
o Ileopectineal line
o Ileopubic eminence
o Pectineal line
o Pubic tubercle
o Pubic Crest
o Symphysis pubis
2. Oblique diameter
Right Oblique diameter (12cm) : extends from Rt. Sacroiliac joint to Lt. sacroiliac joint.
Left Oblique diameter (12cm) : extends from Rt. Sacroiliac joint to Lt. sacroiliac joint.
3. Transverse diameter
Farthest points in the ileopectineal lines (13cm).
Longest diameter
II. Cavity
III. Outlet
1. Anatomical Outlet
It consisits of the lower border of all bones and sacro tuberous ligament.
(Anatomical outlet) – (pelvic strait) = Obstetrical outlet
Pelvic strait consists of lower border of symphysis pubis, sacro coccxygial joint and sacro ischial spine.
2. Obstetrical Outlet
a. Antero posterior diameter (13cm): Extends from inferior border of the symphysis pubis to the sacro coccyxgial
joint.
b. Oblique diameter
Right Oblique diameter (12cm) : extends from Rt. Sacro spinous ligament to Obturator foramen
Left Oblique diameter (12cm) : extends from Lt. Sacro spinous ligament to Obturator foramen
Transverse diameter (11cm) : between the ischial spines.
Types of Pelvis
1. Gynaecoid pelvis
Most suitable for childbirth
Wider brim
Ischial spines are blunt
Sub pubic angle is 90º
2. Anthropoid pelvis
Oval in shape
Transverse diameter is shorter
Seen in tall women with narrow shoulders
Sub pubic angle more than 90º
3. Android pelvis
Heart shaped brim
Anterior posterior diameter is shorter
Transverse diameter is wider
Childbirth is difficult
4. Platypelloid pelvis
Kidney shaped
Anterior posterior diameter is smaller
Transverse diameter is wider