superior and the inferior pubic ramus. Each of the three parts of the pelvic bone converge to form the acetabulum—a cup that forms the joint between the pelvis and the femur. There are two regions that are enclosed by the bony pelvis. The superior part is called the greater pelvic cavity or “false pelvis,” which houses the small and large intestines. Inferiorly is the “true pelvis,” which is also referred to as the lesser pelvis. It contains the bladder and other pelvic organs. The pelvic brim (also called the pelvic inlet) is the upper margin of the lesser pelvis and the lower margin of the greater pelvis. The pelvic brim is known as the pelvic inlet, while the inferior part of the lesser pelvic cavity is called the pelvic outlet.
THE LOWER LIMB There are three regions in the lower limb: the thigh, the leg, and the foot. There are 30 bones in the lower limb, including the femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges. Figure 47 shows the bones of the lower limb:
The femur is the only bone in the thigh. The head of the femur is the rounded proximal end that articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip joint. The greater trochanter is on the outside of the femur at the proximal end, while the lesser trochanter is the bony prominence on the
96