3) Pelvic Girdle

--bears the body's weight, connected to the sacrum

--2 os coxae (hip bones) are actually each composed of 3 bones which fuse during childhood: the ilium, ischium, & pubis

--pubic bones fused at pubic symphysis

--ischium: prominent ischial tuberosity (where 3 hamstrings originate)

--you can palpate this by sitting on your fingertips

--ilium: iliac crest (where gluteus maximus & tensor fascia latae originate), anterior superior iliac spine or ASIS (where sartorius originates), & anterior inferior iliac spine or AIIS (where rectus femoris originates)

--you can palpate the iliac crest & ASIS

--auricular surface where sacrum attached

--acetabulum receives the head of the femur

--the large space, the obturator foramen (through which nerves and blood vessels pass), is the largest foramen in the body

--the size of the pelvic inlet (defined as the circle of the pubic symphysis, superior portion of the sacrum, and the line that joins them [arcuate line]) determines whether a child should experience a normal delivery or C-section