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The pelvis is a collection of bones that is located below the waist and functions as a support for the organs in the abdominal area. The pelvis is also a connector between the upper and lower bodies. Did you know that a woman's pelvis is a lot different from a man's pelvis? Men have a smaller pelvis than women. So, what are the functions and parts of the male pelvis? Come on, take a look at the following male pelvic anatomy review.
What is the anatomy of the male pelvis?
The pelvis in men has a different function and size from that of women. The size of the pelvis in women is generally wider and shallower because it functions as a means of movement, and during pregnancy and childbirth. Meanwhile, in men, the pelvis is more optimized as a means of movement.
The pelvic cavity of men is narrower than that of women and the joints between the sitting bones are also not as wide as women. This is because the pelvis is designed as a means of movement for men, in contrast to women who use this segment as a birth canal.
The difference between male and female pelvis can be seen in the image below.
source: comportho.com
The pelvic bones consist of three constituent bones, namely the hip, sacrum and coccyx. The hip bone itself consists of three component parts, namely the ilium, ischium, and pubis. These three parts of the bone are separated from birth and then fuse together at puberty.
1. Ilium
Of the three bones that make up the hipbone, the ilium is the largest. If you notice, the ilium expands and forms a curved wing, which is at the top of the acetabulum. Ilium has two surfaces:
- Inner surface - a concave shape known as the iliac fossa, where the iliac muscles attach.
- The outer surface - a convex shape known as the gluteal surface, is attached to the gluteal muscles.
In addition to its curved shape, the composition of the ilium constituents also thickens to form iliac crest. This section extends from the front of the iliac bone to the back of the iliac bone.
2. Publication
The pubis is the very front part of the hipbone. The two halves of the pubis are joined by the pubic symphysis. The pubic symphysis is parallel to the coccyx, although its location may vary from person to person. The pubic symphysis tends to be the center of a person's body.
source: comportho.com
3. Ischium
The ischium forms the posteroinferior portion of the hip bone. In the ischium there are two important ligaments:
- Sacrospinous ligament - runs from the spine to the sacrum, forming a large sciatic foramen
- Sacrotuberous ligament - lies from the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity, forming a smaller sciatic foramen
As mentioned earlier, apart from the hip bones there are the coccyx and sacrum which also make up the hip bones. The location of the coccyx is under the sacrum. The pelvis forms the spine and socket of the hip joints in the body.
Protected organs in male pelvic anatomy
Pelvic bones in men protect the important organs in them, such as the main digestive organs and reproductive organs.
In the digestive organs, there is the small intestine which is the longest part of the digestive tract, its job is to receive food and start processing it while absorbing nutrients for the body. The small intestine is connected to the large intestine at the lower right of the abdominal cavity. To prevent food from returning to the small intestine is the job of the muscle sphincter (a special valve that opens and closes automatically when food enters).
Meanwhile, the male reproductive organs have their own muscles, the penis muscles, namely the corpora cavernosa which is located on the side of the penis. When an erection occurs, the corpora cavernosa usually fills with blood and makes the penis tight. When the penis is erect, there is an inner layer called the corpus spongiosum, which remains supple and flexible.
This layer protects the urethra - the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body - from an erection until the semen is released during ejaculation. The release of urine from the body is regulated by the prostate gland. The prostate gland is located above the bladder, which is a place to store urine.
