1. Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limbs
Chapter 7
Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limbs

2. Pelvic Girdle
Consists of two coxae (hipbones) that articulate with each other anteriorly and with the sacrum posteriorly
Functions:
Supports the trunk of the body (weight is transmitted through the girdle to the lower limbs and then the ground)
Provides attachments for the lower limbs
Protects the bladder, the distal end of the large intestine, and the internal reproductive organs

3. Coxae
Each coxa develops from three parts (ilium, ischium, and pubis) that fuse in a depression (called the acetabulum) on the lateral surface of the hipbone that receives the head of the femur

4. Coxae Ilium Largest and most superior of the coxa
Forms the prominence of the hip
Special features:
Iliac crest
Margin of the prominence
Iliac fossa
Smooth, concave surface on the anterior side
Sacroiliac joint
Where the iliac joins the sacrum
Anterior superior iliac spine
Spine the provides attachments for ligaments and muscles
Posterior superior iliac spine
Spine on the poster border
Greater sciatic notch
Indentation below the posterior superior iliac spine through which nerves and blood vessels pass

5. Coxae Ischium Forms the lowest portion of the coxa L-shaped
Special features
Ischial tuberosity
Angle of the ischium
Points downward and posteriorly
Provides attachments for ligaments and lower limb muscles
Supports the weight of the body during sitting
Ischial spine
Sharp projection located above the ischial tuberosity, near the junction of the iliam and ischium

6. Coxae Pubis Anterior portion of the coxa Special features:
Symphysis pubis
Joint between the 2 pubic bones
Pubic arch
Formed by the angle of the pubic bones beneath the symphysis pubis
Obturator foramen
Largest foramen in the skeleton
Located between the pubis and ischium bones
Covered a nearly closed by an obturator membrane

7. Greater and Lesser Pelves
Greater pelvis (false pelvis)
Upper part of the pelvis
Bounded posteriorly by the lumbar vertebrae, laterally by the flared parts of the iliac, and anteriorly by the abdominal wall
Helps support the abdominal organs

8. Greater and Lesser Pelves
Lesser pelvis (true pelvis)
Bounded posteriorly by the sacrum and coccyx and laterally and anteriorly by the lower ilium, ischium, and pubis bones
Surrounds the cavity through which an infant passes during the birthing process

9. Differences between Male and Female Pelves
Iliac bones in females are usually more flared, creating broader hips
Pelvic cavity in females is usually wider in all diameters than that of males
Bones in female pelvis are usually lighter and show less evidence of muscle attachments than those of males

10. Lower Limbs
Include femur, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges

11. Femur Longest bone in the body Extends from the hip to the knee
Special features:
Head
Located at the proximal end
Projects medially into the acetabulum of the coxa
Fovea capitis
Pit on the head that marks the attachment of a ligament
Neck
Constriction located just below the head

12. Femur Special features (cont) Greater trochanter Lesser trochanter
Large process below the head
Provide attachments for muscles of the lower limbs
Lesser trochanter
Linea aspera
Longitudinal crest in the middle of the femur that serves as an attachment for muscles
Lateral and medial condyles
Rounded processes at the distal end that articulate with the tibia
Medial and lateral epicondyles
Projections on the distal surface that provide attachments for muscles

13. Patella Flat sesamoid (round) bone
Located in a tendon that passes anteriorly over the knee

14. Tibia Larger of the two leg bones Located on the medial side
Articulates with the talus in the ankle
Special features:
Medial and lateral condyles
Expanded proximal end
Have concave surfaces that articulate with the condyles of the femur
Tibial tuberosity
Process on the anterior surface that provides an attachment for the patellar ligament
Anterior crest
Extends downward from the tuberosity and attaches connective tissues in the leg
Medial malleolus
Expanded prominence on the inner ankle that forms an attachment for ligaments

15. Fibula Long, slender bone located on the lateral side of the tibia
Special features:
Head
Enlarged proximal end
Articulates with the tibia
Doesn’t enter into the knee joint or bear any body weight
Lateral malleolus
Enlarged distal end
Articulates with the ankle
Protrudes on the lateral side

16. Foot Ankle (tarsus) Instep (metatarsus)
Composed of 7 tarsal bones
The talus (your ankle bone) articulates with the tibia and fibula and can move freely
The calcaneus (your heel bone) helps support the body weight and serves as an attachment for the muscles that move the foot
Instep (metatarsus)
Composed of 5 metatarsal bones (numbered 2 to 5 beginning on the medial side)
Articulates with the tarsus
The heads of the metatarsals at the distal end form the ball of the foot
The tarsals and metatarsals are bound by ligaments to form 2 arches (longitudinal arch and a transverse arch)

17. Foot
Phalanges
Each toe (except the big two – which has two) has three phalanges (a proximal, middle, and distal phalanx)
Align and articulate with the metatarsals