Pelvic inlet

Pelvic inlet
Diameters of superior aperture of lesser pelvis (female).
Details
Latin	apertura pelvis superior
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	a_51/12144724
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terms of bone [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

The pelvic inlet or superior aperture of the pelvis is a planar surface which defines the boundary between the pelvic cavity and the abdominal cavity (or, according to some authors, between two parts of the pelvic cavity, called lesser pelvis and greater pelvis).

Its position and orientation relative to the skeleton of the pelvis is anatomically defined by its edge, the pelvic brim. The pelvic brim is an approximately apple-shaped line passing through the prominence of the sacrum, the arcuate and pectineal lines, and the upper margin of the pubic symphysis.

Occasionally, the terms pelvic inlet and pelvic brim are used interchangeably.

Boundaries

The edge of the pelvic inlet (pelvic brim) is formed as follows:

	Anteriorly by the pubic crest (or pubic symphysis)
Laterally by the iliopectineal line		(same as other side)
	Posteriorly by the anterior margin of the base of the sacrum (or the ala of sacrum) and sacrovertebral angle (or sacral promontory)

Diameters

The diameters or conjugates of the pelvis are measured at the pelvic inlet and outlet and as oblique diameters.

Name	Description	Average measurement in female
Anteroposterior or conjugate diameter or conjugata vera	Extends from the sacrovertebral angle (promontorium) to the pubic symphysis;	about 110 mm.
Transverse diameter	Extends across the greatest width of the superior aperture, from the middle of the brim on one side to the same point on the opposite;	about 135 mm.
Oblique diameter	Extends from the iliopectineal eminence of one side to the sacroiliac articulation of the opposite side;	about 125 mm.
Anatomical conjugate	Extends from the pubic symphysis to the promontory;	about 120 mm.
Diagonal conjugate	Extends from inferior pubic ligament to promontory through the vagina;	about 130 mm.
Straight conjugate	Extends from the lower border of the pubic symphysis to the tip of coccyx. The coccyx can bend posteriorly and expand the diameter with 25 mm;	about 95 mm (+ 25 mm).
Median conjugate	Extends from the lower border of the pubic symphysis to the lower border of the sacrum;	about 115 mm.

Two diameters may be measured from the outside of the body using a pelvimeter

Name	Description	Average measurement in female
Interspinous distance	Extends between the anterior superior iliac spines;	about 260 mm.
Intercristal distance	Extends between the furthest later points of the two iliac crests;	about 290 mm.

Additional images

• 

  Pelvis

• Konjugata vera.jpg

  Conjugata vera as measured on sagittal MRI

See also

• pelvic outlet

External links

• Anatomy image:9951 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
• Anatomy image:9950 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - transverse diameter is blue pipecleaner, anteroposterior or conjugate diameter is red pipecleaner
• Image at mun.ca
• pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (medialpelvissmall, malepelvissagittalinlet&outletsml)