180 TOPOGRAPHICAL ANATOMY OF THE 



The long dorsal sacro-iliac ligament (ligamentum sacroiliacum 

 dorsale longurn) is membranous and triangular. It is attached to the 

 medial border of the ilium from the sacral tuber to the level of the 

 auricular surface. The sacral attachment is to the ends of the transverse 

 processes (border of the sacrum). 



At some distance from the sacro-iliac joint, but intimately concerned 

 in the connection of the hip-bone to the vertebral column, is an 

 extensive, strong, membranous sheet composed of the fused sacro- 

 spinous and sacro-tuberous ligaments (ligamentum sacrospinosum : 

 ligamentum sacrotuberosum). The dorsal margin of the combined 

 ligament is attached to the ends of the transverse processes of the 

 sacral and the first and second coccygeal vertebra^. The ventral con- 

 nection is to the summit of the sciatic spine (sacro-spinous ligament) 

 and the sciatic tuber (sacro-tuberous ligament). The presence of the 

 sacro-spinous ligament converts the greater sciatic notch of the ilium 

 into the greater sciatic foramen, through which the sciatic and gluteal 

 nerves and the cranial gluteal vessels emerge from the pelvis. In like 

 manner, the sacro-tuberous ligament converts the lesser sciatic notch of 

 the ischium into the lesser sciatic foramen by which the tendon of the 

 internal obturator muscle reaches its insertion into the femur. The 

 lesser sciatic foramen also gives passage to the nerve of the internal 

 obturator muscle, and a communicating vessel between the internal 

 pudendal and obturator veins. The caudal border of the sacro-tuberous 

 ligament is thin and connected with the origin of the semi-membran- 

 osus muscle. 



The ilio-lumhar ligament (ligamentum iliolumbale) also assists, in 

 a measure, in the connection of the hip-bone with the vertebral column. 

 It is in the form of a triangular sheet that passes from the transverse 

 process of the last lumbar vertebra to the adjacent part of the 

 medial surface of the ilium. 



The Female Pelvis. 



The examination of the female pelvis follows the same lines as 

 those laid down for the pelvis of the male. The boundaries of the 

 cavity in the two sexes are the same. 



The first thing to be done is to make a general examination of the 

 disposition of the pelvic viscera so far as is possible before any dissection 

 has been carried out. 



The pelvic inlet is occupied by the vertex of the bladder (if the 

 organ is moderately distended), the body of the uterus and the termina- 

 tion of the small colon. The general form of the urinary bladder agrees 



