Pelvic Limb Anatomy Quiz

Pelvic Limb Structure

• The pelvic limb is divided into four segments: pelvic girdle, thigh, leg, and pes.

Pelvic Girdle

• Formed by two symmetrical hip bones (os coxae) that connect at the symphysis pelvis ventrally and are firmly attached to the sacrum dorsally.
• Together with the sacrum and coccygeal vertebrae, they create the bony pelvis.

Os Coxae Composition

• Composed of three flat bones: ilium, ischium, and pubis, which converge at the acetabulum.
• The acetabulum is a significant cavity where the femur's head articulates.

Ilium Details

• The ilium forms the dorsocranial portion of the hip bone and extends obliquely from the acetabulum to the sacrum.
• It comprises a cranial expanded wing and a columnar body that contributes to the acetabulum.
• Coxal tuberosity is a notable landmark in domestic mammals, located at the lateral angle of the hip.

Sacral Tuber Characteristics

• The mediodorsal angle of the ilial wing is thickened to form the sacral tuber.
• In carnivores and cattle, the sacral tuber typically features two eminences.

Iliac Crest and Surface Features

• Iliac crest connects coxal tuberosity and sacral tuber; its shape varies across species.
• It is convex and thick in carnivores and pigs, while thin and concave in larger animals.
• The lateral surface of the ilium features gluteal lines, indicating muscle attachment areas.