- Head and Neck
- Dental Anatomy
- Upper Extremity
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Spine and Back
- Pelvis
- Lower Extremity
- Organ Systems
- Anatomical terminology
- Skeletal system
- Skull
- Neurocranium
- Frontal bone
- Sphenoid bone
- Temporal bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Occipital bone
- Parietal bone
- Viscerocranium
- Lacrimal bone
- Nasal bone
- Zygomatic bone
- Palatine bone
- Maxilla
- Inferior nasal concha
- Vomer
- Mandible
- Hyoid bone
- Auditory ossicles
- Sutures of skull
- Topography of skull
- Cranial base
- Internal cranial base
- Anterior cranial fossa
- Middle cranial fossa
- Posterior cranial fossa
- External cranial base
- Temporal fossa
- Infratemporal fossa
- Pterygopalatine fossa
- Orbit
- Nasal cavity
- Paranasal sinuses
- Maxillary sinus
- Frontal sinus
- Sphenoidal sinus
- Ethmoidal air cells
- Skeleton of trunk
- Rib cage
- Ribs
- Sternum
- Thoracic vertebrae
- Spine
- Cervical vertebrae
- Thoracic vertebrae
- Lumbar vertebrae
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
- Skeleton of upper limb
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- Scapula
- Humerus
- Bones of forearm
- Radius
- Ulna
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- Metacarpal bones
- Phalanges of hand
- Skeleton of lower limb
- Pelvis
- Hip bone
- Pubic bone
- Ischium
- Ilium
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
- Femur
- Patella
- Bones of leg
- Tibia
- Fibula
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- Tarsal bones
- Talus
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- Navicular bone
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- Phalanges of foot
- Joints
- Classification of joints
- Joints of skull
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- Sutures of skull
- Joints of spine
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
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- Supraspinous and nuchal ligaments
- Ligamenta flava
- Intervertebral discs
- Atlanto-occipital joint
- Atlanto-axial joint
- Facet (zygapophyseal) joints
- Lumbosacral joint
- Sacrococcygeal joint
- Joints of lower limb
- Joints of pelvis
- Sacrotuberous ligament
- Sacrospinous ligament
- Obturator membrane
- Pubic symphysis
- Sacroiliac joint
- Hip joint
- Knee joint
- Tibiofibular joints
- Superior tibiofibular joint
- Inferior tibiofibular joint
- Joints of foot
- Ankle joint
- Intertarsal joints
- Talocalcaneonavicular joint
- Calcaneocuboid joint
- Transverse tarsal joint (Chopart's joint)
- Cuneonavicular joint
- Subtalar joint
- Tarsometatarsal joints (Lisfranc's joint)
- Intermetatarsal joints
- Metatarsophalangeal joints
- Interphalangeal joints of foot
- Muscles
- Head muscles
- Extraocular muscles
- Superior rectus
- Inferior rectus
- Medial rectus
- Lateral rectus
- Superior oblique
- Inferior oblique
- Levator palpebrae superioris
- Facial muscles
- Occipitofrontalis
- Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis
- Frontal belly of occipitofrontalis
- Corrugator supercilii
- Depressor supercilii
- Orbicularis oculi
- Orbital part of orbicularis oculi
- Palpebral part of orbicularis oculi
- Lacrimal part of orbicularis oculi
- Buccinator
- Orbicularis oris
- Mentalis
- Depressor anguli oris
- Depressor labii inferioris
- Levator anguli oris
- Levator labii superioris
- Risorius
- Zygomaticus major
- Zygomaticus minor
- Levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
- Nasalis
- Alar nasalis
- Transverse nasalis
- Procerus
- Depressor septi nasi
- Compressor narium minor
- Dilator naris anterior
- Muscles of mastication
- Temporalis
- Masseter
- Lateral pterygoid
- Medial pterygoid
- Neck muscles
- Superficial neck muscles
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Platysma
- Scalene muscles
- Anterior scalene
- Middle scalene
- Posterior scalene
- Suprahyoid muscles
- Mylohyoid
- Digastric
- Anterior belly of digastric
- Posterior belly of digastric
- Stylohyoid
- Geniohyoid
- Infrahyoid muscles
- Sternohyoid
- Sternothyroid
- Thyrohyoid
- Omohyoid
- Prevertebral muscles
- Longus capitis
- Longus colli
- Rectus capitis anterior
- Rectus capitis lateralis
- Suboccipital muscles
- Rectus capitis posterior minor
- Rectus capitis posterior major
- Obliquus capitis superior
- Obliquus capitis inferior
- Muscles of upper limb
- Muscles of pectoral girdle
- Pectoralis major
- Muscles of shoulder region
- Deltoid
- Teres major
- Rotator cuff
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Teres minor
- Subscapularis
- Muscles of upper arm
- Anterior compartment
- Coracobrachialis
- Brachialis
- Biceps brachii
- Posterior compartment
- Triceps brachii
- Anconeus
- Muscles of forearm
- Anterior compartment
- Pronator teres
- Flexor carpi radialis
- Palmaris longus
- Flexor carpi ulnaris
- Flexor digitorum superficialis
- Flexor digitorum profundus
- Flexor pollicis longus
- Pronator quadratus
- Lateral compartment
- Brachioradialis
- Extensor carpi radialis longus
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis
- Posterior compartment
- Extensor digitorum
- Extensor digiti minimi
- Extensor carpi ulnaris
- Abductor pollicis longus
- Extensor pollicis brevis
- Extensor pollicis longus
- Extensor indicis
- Supinator
- Muscles of hand
- Medial group (Muscles of little finger)
- Abductor digiti minimi of hand
- Flexor digiti minimi brevis of hand
- Opponens digiti minimi of hand
- Palmaris brevis
- Middle group of hand muscles
- Lumbricals of hand
- Palmar interossei
- Dorsal interossei of hand
- Lateral group (Muscles of thumb)
- Abductor pollicis brevis
- Flexor pollicis brevis
- Opponens pollicis
- Adductor pollicis
- Thoracic muscles
- Diaphragm
- Muscles of back
- Superficial back muscles
- Trapezius
- Latissimus dorsi
- Rhomboid muscles
- Levator scapulae
- Intermediate back muscles
- Serratus posterior superior
- Serratus posterior inferior
- Deep back muscles
- Superficial layer
- Splenius capitis
- Splenius cervicis
- Intermediate layer (Erector Spinae)
- Spinalis
- Longissimus
- Iliocostalis
- Deep layer (Transversospinales)
- Rotatores
- Multifidus
- Semispinalis
- Deepest layer
- Interspinales
- Intertransversarii
- Levatores costarum
- Muscles of lower limb
- Pelvic muscles
- Iliopsoas
- Iliacus
- Psoas major
- Psoas minor
- Gluteus maximus
- Gluteus medius
- Gluteus minimus
- Tensor fasciae latae
- Piriformis
- Obturator internus
- Obturator externus
- Superior gemellus
- Inferior gemellus
- Quadratus femoris
- Muscles of thigh
- Anterior compartment
- Quadriceps femoris
- Rectus femoris
- Vastus medialis
- Vastus intermedius
- Vastus lateralis
- Sartorius
- Medial compartment
- Pectineus
- Adductor brevis
- Adductor longus
- Adductor magnus
- Gracilis
- Posterior compartment
- Semimembranosus
- Semitendinosus
- Biceps femoris
- Muscles of leg
- Anterior compartment
- Tibialis anterior
- Extensor hallucis longus
- Extensor digitorum longus
- Lateral compartment
- Peroneus longus
- Peroneus brevis
- Posterior compartment
- Superficial layer
- Triceps surae
- Gastrocnemius
- Soleus
- Plantaris
- Deep layer
- Popliteus
- Tibialis posterior
- Flexor digitorum longus
- Flexor hallucis longus
- Muscles of foot
- Dorsal muscles of foot
- Extensor digitorum brevis
- Extensor hallucis brevis
- Plantar muscles of foot
- Medial group (Muscles of big toe)
- Abductor hallucis
- Flexor hallucis brevis
- Adductor hallucis
- Middle group of foot muscles
- Flexor digitorum brevis
- Quadratus plantae
- Lumbricals of foot
- Plantar interossei
- Dorsal interossei of foot
- Lateral group (Muscles of little toe)
- Abductor digiti minimi of foot
- Flexor digiti minimi brevis of foot
- Opponens digiti minimi of foot
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Blood vessels of systemic circulation
- Aorta
- Ascending aorta
- Right coronary artery
- Left coronary artery
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- Brachiocephalic trunk
- Descending thoracic aorta
- Posterior intercostal arteries
- Subcostal artery
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- Bronchial arteries
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- Splenic artery
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- Superior mesenteric artery
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- Middle colic artery
- Inferior mesenteric artery
- Left colic artery
- Sigmoid arteries
- Superior rectal artery
- Middle suprarenal arteries
- Renal artery
- Ovarian arteries
- Testicular arteries
- Lumbar arteries
- Median sacral artery
- Blood vessels of head and neck
- Arteries of head and neck
- Brachiocephalic trunk
- Common carotid artery
- External carotid artery
- Superficial temporal artery
- Maxillary artery
- Inferior alveolar artery
- Mental artery
- Superior thyroid artery
- Lingual artery
- Facial artery
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- Superior labial artery
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- Angular artery
- Ascending pharyngeal artery
- Occipital artery
- Posterior auricular artery
- Internal carotid artery
- Anterior cerebral artery
- Middle cerebral artery
- Ophthalmic artery
- Anterior choroidal artery
- Posterior communicating artery
- Superior hypophyseal artery
- Subclavian artery
- Vertebral artery
- Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
- Basilar artery
- Superior cerebellar artery
- Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
- Posterior cerebral artery
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- Ascending cervical artery
- Transverse cervical artery
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- Deep cervical artery
- Superior intercostal artery
- Veins of head and neck
- Veins of head
- Extracranial veins
- Retromandibular vein
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- Deep facial vein
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- Lingual vein
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- Deep veins of upper limb
- Blood vessels of thorax
- Systemic arteries of thorax
- Ascending aorta
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- Arteries of pelvis and lower limb
- Common iliac artery
- Internal iliac artery
- Middle rectal artery
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- Superior gluteal artery
- Umbilical artery
- Uterine artery
- Artery to ductus deferens
- Internal pudendal artery
- Iliolumbar artery
- Inferior gluteal artery
- Inferior vesical artery
- Obturator artery
- External iliac artery
- Inferior epigastric artery
- Deep circumflex iliac artery
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- Deep femoral artery
- Lateral circumflex femoral artery
- Medial circumflex femoral artery
- Descending genicular artery
- Perforating arteries
- Popliteal artery
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- Sural arteries
- Anterior tibial artery
- Posterior tibial recurrent artery
- Anterior tibial recurrent artery
- Anterior medial malleolar artery
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- Dorsalis pedis artery
- Arcuate artery
- Deep plantar artery
- Lateral tarsal artery
- Medial tarsal arteries
- Posterior tibial artery
- Circumflex fibular artery
- Medial malleolar branches
- Peroneal artery
- Lateral plantar artery
- Medial plantar artery
- Veins of pelvis and lower limb
- Common iliac vein
- External iliac vein
- Inferior epigastric veins
- Deep circumflex iliac vein
- Internal iliac vein
- Superficial veins of lower limb
- Great saphenous vein
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- Femoral vein
- Popliteal vein
- Anterior tibial vein
- Posterior tibial vein
- Nervous system
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- Genitofemoral nerve
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- Inferior cluneal nerves
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- Tibial nerve
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Pelvis
The pelvis (Latin: pelvis) is an anatomical structure located between the abdomen and free lower limbs. The term `pelvis` refers to the pelvic skeleton known as the pelvic girdle. The pelvic girdle is embedded in the lower part of the trunk, and it connects the axial skeleton with the skeleton of the lower limbs.
The pelvic skeleton is composed of several bones, including the unpaired sacrum and coccyx and a pair of hip bones. Each hip bone is made of three smaller bones named the ilium, ischium and pubis.
The adjacent bones of the pelvis are connected by four joints, and they are as follows:
- Sacroiliac joints (2) - articulations between the ilium and sacrum;
- Sacrococcygeal symphysis - joint between the sacrum and coccyx;
- Pubic symphysis - articulation between both bodies of the pubis.
Functions of pelvis
The pelvic skeleton is a strong and rigid anatomical structure adapted for several functions in the human body. These functions include the following:
- The pelvis transfers weight from the upper axial skeleton to the lower extremities, especially during the motion.
- It also provides attachment for many muscles and ligaments used in locomotion.
- The pelvis encloses and protects organs located in the abdominal and visceral cavities.
- It also provides natural childbirth when the neonate passes through the birth canal that lies in the pelvic girdle.
Greater and lesser pelvis
The pelvis is subdivided into two smaller parts - the greater and lesser pelvis - and both parts are separated by the terminal line. The junction between the greater and lesser pelvis is also known as the pelvic inlet.
The greater pelvis, known as the false pelvis, is a space located above the pelvic inlet between the two wings of the ilium. Its primary function is to support the lower abdominal organs, and it has little obstetric relevance.
The lesser pelvis or the true pelvis is a part of the pelvis situated below the pelvic inlet. It encloses the pelvic cavity housing the pelvic organs, including the sigmoid colon, rectum, bladder and several reproductive organs.
Pelvic inlet
The pelvic inlet marks the junction between the lesser and greater pelvis. The following structures form the borders of the pelvic inlet:
- Posteriorly - anterior sacral promontory and the lower anterior aspects of the wings of the ilium;
- Laterally - arcuate line on the inner surface of the ilium, and the pecten pubis on the superior ramus of the pubis;
- Anteriorly - pubic symphysis and superior pubic ligament.
The measurements of the pelvic inlet determine the size and shape of the birth canal. Standard measurements and diameters of the pelvic inlet are as follows:
Anatomical transverse diameter
- Between: the extreme lateral points of the pelvic inlet
- Length: 13 - 14 cm
Oblique diameter
- From: the sacroiliac joint
- To: the iliopubic eminence of the opposite side
- Length: 11.5 - 12.5 cm
Diagonal conjugate
- From: the inferior pubic ligament
- To: the sacral promontory
- Length: 12.5 - 13 cm
Anatomical conjugate
- From: the superior margin of the pubic symphysis, superior pubic ligament
- To: the sacral promontory
- Length: 11 - 12 cm
Pelvic outlet
The pelvic outlet, also known as the inferior pelvic aperture, marks the lower aspect of the lesser pelvis, and its shape is very irregular. The boundaries of the pelvic outlet are formed by the coccyx, sacrotuberous ligaments, ischial tuberosities, both ramus of the ischium, both inferior ramus of the pubis and pubic symphysis.
Standard diameters and measurements of the pelvic outlet include the following:
Anatomical anteroposterior diameter
- From: the lower border of the pubic symphysis
- To: the tip of the coccyx
- Length: 9.5 - 12.5 cm (this diameter can significantly vary due to the mobility of the coccyx)
Transverse diameter
- Between: the ischial tuberosities
- Length: 8 - 11 cm
In males, all these diameters are slightly shorter than females, as males usually have narrower and smaller sizes of the pelvis. The diameters and measurements of the female pelvis are important in pelvimetry that assesses the size of a woman's pelvis to predict whether the woman will be able to give natural childbirth. All diameters increase during labor to make the delivery of the fetus easier.
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