pelvic cavity#Lesser pelvis

File:Pelvis.jpg

The pelvis has an anteroinferior, a posterior, and two lateral pelvic walls; and an inferior pelvic wall, also called the pelvic floor.Moore, Keith L. et al. (2010) Clinically Oriented Anatomy 6th Ed, ch. 3 Pelvis and perineum, p. 339Richard S. Snell Clinical Anatomy By Regions, Pelvic cavity [https://books.google.com/books?id=vb4AcUL4CE0C&pg=PA242 p. 242] The parietal peritoneum is attached here and to the abdominal wall.Tank, P. (2013) Grants Dissector 15th ed., ch. 4 The abdomen, p. 99

The lesser pelvis (or "true pelvis") is the space enclosed by the pelvic girdle and below the pelvic brim: between the pelvic inlet and the pelvic floor. This cavity is a short, curved canal, deeper on its posterior than on its anterior wall.{{Gray's}} Some sources consider this region to be the entirety of the pelvic cavity. Other sources define the pelvic cavity as the larger space including the greater pelvis, just above the pelvic inlet.

The lesser pelvis is bounded in front and below by the superior rami of the symphysis pubis; above and behind, by the sacrum and coccyx; and laterally, by a broad, smooth, quadrangular area of bone, corresponding to the inner surfaces of the body and superior ramus of the ischium, and the part of the ilium below the arcuate line.

The lesser pelvis contains the pelvic colon, rectum, bladder, and some of the sex organs.

The rectum is at the back, in the curve of the sacrum and coccyx; the bladder is in front, behind the pubic symphysis. In females, the uterus and vagina occupy the interval between these viscera.

The pelvic splanchnic nerves arising at S2–S4 are in the lesser pelvis.

The greater pelvis (or false pelvis) is the space enclosed by the pelvic girdle above and in front of the pelvic brim. It is bounded on either side by the ilium. In the front, it is incomplete, presenting a wide interval between the anterior borders of the ilia, which is filled by the muscles and fascia of the anterior abdominal wall; behind is a deep notch on either side between the ilium and the base of the sacrum that is filled by the thoracolumbar fascia and associated muscles.

It is generally considered part of the abdominal cavity (which is why it is sometimes called the false pelvis).Drake et al. (2009) Grays Anatomy for Students, 2nd Edition, ch. 5 Pelvis and perineum – general description, p. 406 Some sources consider this region part of the pelvic cavity,{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} while others reframe the classification by calling the combination the abdominopelvic cavity.

The greater pelvis supports the intestines (specifically, the ileum and sigmoid colon), and transmits part of their weight to the anterior wall of the abdomen.

The femoral nerve from L2–L4 is in the greater pelvis, but not in the lesser pelvis.

• internal iliac artery
• median sacral artery
• ovarian artery

• sacral plexus
• splanchnic nerves
• femoral nerve (greater pelvis)

The pelvis can be classified into four main types by measuring the pelvic diameters and conjugates at the pelvic inlet and outlet and as oblique diameters.

File:Anatomical dissection of the pelvic cavity.jpg

File:Gray319.png|Joints of the pelvis. Anterior view.

File:Gray539.png|The arteries of the pelvis.

File:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.

File:Gray837.png|Sacral plexus of the right side.

File:Male pelvic cavity.jpg|Male pelvic cavity

File:Female pelvic cavity.jpg|Female pelvic cavity

File:Scheme body cavities-en.svg|Lateral projection of the human body cavities, with the line separating the abdominal and pelvic cavities shown.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170604111136/http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/ana/newpage45.htm Overview at buffalo.edu]
• [http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/rburkett/human_20.jpg Diagram at southwest.tn.edu]
• [http://www.changbioscience.com/store/images/anatomical/smd070/smd0703.htm Photo of model (female)]
• {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|44|os|05|02}} – "The Male Pelvis: Articulated bones of male pelvis"
• {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|44|os|05|03}}

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Category:Pelvis