Bony Landmarks
Pelvis:
Name the three bones that form the pelvis.
Ilium, ischium, and pubis.
What structure connects the sacrum to the ilium?
Sacroiliac joint.
What is the landmark for identifying the superior part of the ilium anteriorly?
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS).
How does the male pelvis differ from the female pelvis in terms of the pubic angle?
The female pelvis has a pubic angle greater than 90 degrees, while the male pelvis has
a smaller angle (less than 90 degrees)
What is the function of the pubic symphysis?
It connects the left and right pubic bones and allows for slight movement during
walking and childbirth
Which landmark separates the true and false pelvis?
The pelvic brim (or pelvic inlet)
Where is the ischial tuberosity located, and why is it important?
The ischial tuberosity is located at the inferior part of the ischium, and it serves as the
attachment point for the hamstrings and bears weight when sitting
Name two differences between the male and female pelvis related to childbirth
The female pelvis has a larger pelvic inlet, and the pubic angle is greater than 90
degrees, both to accommodate childbirth
Which part of the pelvis is known as the “sit bone”?
The ischial tuberosity.
What structure passes through the greater sciatic notch?
The sciatic nerve, along with the piriformis muscle, superior and inferior gluteal vessels and
nerves, and other structures.
Which surface of the sacrum articulates with the ilium?
The auricular surface of the sacrum.
What is the function of the obturator foramen?
It allows the obturator nerve, artery, and vein to pass through, facilitating communication
between the pelvis and the lower limb.
,What is the sacral promontory, and where is it located?
The sacral promontory is the anterior edge of the first sacral vertebra, marking the posterior
boundary of the pelvic inlet.
What forms the anterior boundary of the greater sciatic notch?
The posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS).
What is the iliac fossa, and what is its function?
The iliac fossa is a large, concave surface on the inner part of the ilium. It serves as an
attachment site for the iliacus muscle.
What landmark forms the lateral boundary of the obturator foramen?
The ischiopubic ramus forms the lateral boundary of the obturator foramen
What is the auricular surface of the pelvis, and what does it articulate with?
The auricular surface is a specific area on the ilium that articulates with the sacrum to form the
sacroiliac joint.
Where is the iliac crest located, and what is its clinical significance?
The iliac crest is the superior border of the ilium. It is clinically significant as a landmark for
spinal taps and as an attachment point for muscles like the latissimus dorsi and transversus
abdominis.
What is the purpose of the ischial spine?
The ischial spine serves as an attachment point for ligaments and muscles, including the
sacrospinous ligament. It also divides the greater and lesser sciatic notches.
What is the difference between the true pelvis and the false pelvis?
The true pelvis is the region below the pelvic brim that contains the pelvic cavity and the birth
canal, while the false pelvis (above the pelvic brim) supports the abdominal organs.
Femur:
What is the femoral head covered by, and what attaches at the fovea capitis?
The femoral head is covered by hyaline cartilage, and the ligamentum teres attaches
at the fovea capitis.
What is the purpose of the acetabular labrum?
The acetabular labrum deepens the acetabulum and increases the articular surface
area by about 10%, improving stability
What is the normal range for the angle of inclination of the femoral neck?
The angle of inclination is typically between 125° to 139°
Where does the gluteal tuberosity lie, and which muscle attaches here?
The gluteal tuberosity is located on the posterior aspect of the femur, and the gluteus
maximus attaches here
, What attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur?
Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, obturator internus, and the gemelli
muscles attach to the greater trochanter
Describe the location of the intertrochanteric line.
The intertrochanteric line is located on the anterior aspect of the femur, running
between the greater and lesser trochanters
What is the linea aspera, and which muscle group attaches here?
The linea aspera is a vertical ridge on the posterior shaft of the femur, and the
adductor muscles attach here
What bone articulates with the femoral condyles to form the knee joint?
The tibia articulates with the femoral condyles, forming the tibiofemoral part of the
knee joint
Where is the lesser trochanter located, and what muscle attaches to it?
The lesser trochanter is located on the posteromedial aspect of the femur, and the iliopsoas
muscle attaches to it.
What is the intercondylar fossa, and where is it found?
The intercondylar fossa is a deep notch located between the medial and lateral condyles at the
distal end of the femur. It allows space for the cruciate ligaments.
Which structure of the femur articulates with the patella?
The patellar surface or trochlear groove of the femur articulates with the patella.
What attaches to the adductor tubercle of the femur?
The hamstring portion of the adductor magnus attaches to the adductor tubercle
What is the fovea capitis, and what attaches here?
The fovea capitis is a small pit in the femoral head where the ligamentum teres attaches.
What is the clinical significance of the angle of anteversion of the femur?
The angle of anteversion refers to the orientation of the femoral neck relative to the shaft. Excess
anteversion can cause in-toeing (pigeon-toed gait), while retroversion can cause out-toeing.
Where is the intertrochanteric crest, and what attaches here?
The intertrochanteric crest is located on the posterior side of the femur, between the greater and
lesser trochanters. The quadratus femoris attaches here
What is the pectineal line of the femur, and what muscle attaches here?
The pectineal line runs along the posterior surface of the femur, providing an attachment point
for the pectineus muscle.
Pelvis:
Name the three bones that form the pelvis.
Ilium, ischium, and pubis.
What structure connects the sacrum to the ilium?
Sacroiliac joint.
What is the landmark for identifying the superior part of the ilium anteriorly?
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS).
How does the male pelvis differ from the female pelvis in terms of the pubic angle?
The female pelvis has a pubic angle greater than 90 degrees, while the male pelvis has
a smaller angle (less than 90 degrees)
What is the function of the pubic symphysis?
It connects the left and right pubic bones and allows for slight movement during
walking and childbirth
Which landmark separates the true and false pelvis?
The pelvic brim (or pelvic inlet)
Where is the ischial tuberosity located, and why is it important?
The ischial tuberosity is located at the inferior part of the ischium, and it serves as the
attachment point for the hamstrings and bears weight when sitting
Name two differences between the male and female pelvis related to childbirth
The female pelvis has a larger pelvic inlet, and the pubic angle is greater than 90
degrees, both to accommodate childbirth
Which part of the pelvis is known as the “sit bone”?
The ischial tuberosity.
What structure passes through the greater sciatic notch?
The sciatic nerve, along with the piriformis muscle, superior and inferior gluteal vessels and
nerves, and other structures.
Which surface of the sacrum articulates with the ilium?
The auricular surface of the sacrum.
What is the function of the obturator foramen?
It allows the obturator nerve, artery, and vein to pass through, facilitating communication
between the pelvis and the lower limb.
,What is the sacral promontory, and where is it located?
The sacral promontory is the anterior edge of the first sacral vertebra, marking the posterior
boundary of the pelvic inlet.
What forms the anterior boundary of the greater sciatic notch?
The posterior inferior iliac spine (PIIS).
What is the iliac fossa, and what is its function?
The iliac fossa is a large, concave surface on the inner part of the ilium. It serves as an
attachment site for the iliacus muscle.
What landmark forms the lateral boundary of the obturator foramen?
The ischiopubic ramus forms the lateral boundary of the obturator foramen
What is the auricular surface of the pelvis, and what does it articulate with?
The auricular surface is a specific area on the ilium that articulates with the sacrum to form the
sacroiliac joint.
Where is the iliac crest located, and what is its clinical significance?
The iliac crest is the superior border of the ilium. It is clinically significant as a landmark for
spinal taps and as an attachment point for muscles like the latissimus dorsi and transversus
abdominis.
What is the purpose of the ischial spine?
The ischial spine serves as an attachment point for ligaments and muscles, including the
sacrospinous ligament. It also divides the greater and lesser sciatic notches.
What is the difference between the true pelvis and the false pelvis?
The true pelvis is the region below the pelvic brim that contains the pelvic cavity and the birth
canal, while the false pelvis (above the pelvic brim) supports the abdominal organs.
Femur:
What is the femoral head covered by, and what attaches at the fovea capitis?
The femoral head is covered by hyaline cartilage, and the ligamentum teres attaches
at the fovea capitis.
What is the purpose of the acetabular labrum?
The acetabular labrum deepens the acetabulum and increases the articular surface
area by about 10%, improving stability
What is the normal range for the angle of inclination of the femoral neck?
The angle of inclination is typically between 125° to 139°
Where does the gluteal tuberosity lie, and which muscle attaches here?
The gluteal tuberosity is located on the posterior aspect of the femur, and the gluteus
maximus attaches here
, What attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur?
Gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, obturator internus, and the gemelli
muscles attach to the greater trochanter
Describe the location of the intertrochanteric line.
The intertrochanteric line is located on the anterior aspect of the femur, running
between the greater and lesser trochanters
What is the linea aspera, and which muscle group attaches here?
The linea aspera is a vertical ridge on the posterior shaft of the femur, and the
adductor muscles attach here
What bone articulates with the femoral condyles to form the knee joint?
The tibia articulates with the femoral condyles, forming the tibiofemoral part of the
knee joint
Where is the lesser trochanter located, and what muscle attaches to it?
The lesser trochanter is located on the posteromedial aspect of the femur, and the iliopsoas
muscle attaches to it.
What is the intercondylar fossa, and where is it found?
The intercondylar fossa is a deep notch located between the medial and lateral condyles at the
distal end of the femur. It allows space for the cruciate ligaments.
Which structure of the femur articulates with the patella?
The patellar surface or trochlear groove of the femur articulates with the patella.
What attaches to the adductor tubercle of the femur?
The hamstring portion of the adductor magnus attaches to the adductor tubercle
What is the fovea capitis, and what attaches here?
The fovea capitis is a small pit in the femoral head where the ligamentum teres attaches.
What is the clinical significance of the angle of anteversion of the femur?
The angle of anteversion refers to the orientation of the femoral neck relative to the shaft. Excess
anteversion can cause in-toeing (pigeon-toed gait), while retroversion can cause out-toeing.
Where is the intertrochanteric crest, and what attaches here?
The intertrochanteric crest is located on the posterior side of the femur, between the greater and
lesser trochanters. The quadratus femoris attaches here
What is the pectineal line of the femur, and what muscle attaches here?
The pectineal line runs along the posterior surface of the femur, providing an attachment point
for the pectineus muscle.
