Pelvic cavity

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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.

[edit] Borders

The boundaries are as follows:

• anterior: pubic symphysis
• posterior (or "roof"): piriformis, sacrum, coccyx
• lateral: obturator internus
• floor: levator ani muscle (or, more generally, the pelvic floor)

[edit] 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.

[edit] Ligaments

[edit] Arteries

• internal iliac artery
• median sacral artery
• ovarian artery

[edit] Nerves

• sacral plexus
• splanchnic nerves

[edit] Additional images

	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.

[edit] External links

• Overview at buffalo.edu
• Diagram at southwest.tn.edu
• Photo of model (female)

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