Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pelvic cavity
Introduction
Template:Infobox Anatomy The pelvic cavity is a body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis and which primarily contains reproductive organs, the urinary bladder, and the rectum.
Borders
Borders
The boundaries are as follows:
| roof: pelvic brim[1] | ||
| posterior: sacrum, coccyx | lateral: obturator internus | anterior: pubic symphysis |
| floor: pelvic floor |
Greater and lesser pelvis
Greater and lesser pelvis
The lesser pelvis (or “true” pelvis” only includes structures inferior to the pelvic brim.
For example, the pelvic splanchnic nerves arising at S2-S4 is in the true pelvis, but the femoral nerve from L2-L4 is only in the “false pelvis”, or greater pelvis.
Ligaments
Ligaments
| Ligament | From | To |
| broad ligament of the uterus | ||
| * mesovarium | ovary | |
| * mesosalpinx | Fallopian tube | |
| * mesometrium | ||
| cardinal ligament | ||
| ovarian ligament | ovary | uterus |
| round ligament of the uterus | ||
| suspensory ligament of the ovary |
Additional images
Additional images
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Articulations of pelvis. Anterior view. -
The arteries of the pelvis. -
Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses. -
Sacral plexus of the right side.
