214 OSTEOLOGY. 
the false pelvis (pelvis major), and serves by the expanded ilac fossie to support the 
abdominal contents; the part below, the true pelvis (pelvis minor) contains the 
pelvic viscera, and in the female forms the bony canal through which, at full term, 
the foetus is expelled. 
The true pelvis is bounded in front by the body and rami of the pubis on either 
Fic. 158.—-MaALE PELVIS AS SEEN FROM THE FRONT. 
side, with the symphysis pubis in the middle line, laterally by the smooth inner 
surfaces of the ischia and ischial rami, together with a small part of the ium 
below the iliac portion of the ilio-pectineal line. Springing from the posterior 
margin of the ischium are the inturned ischial spines. Behind, the broad curved 
anterior surface of the sacrum, and below it, the small and irregular coccyx, form 
its posterior wall. Between the sides of the sacrum behind, and the ischium and 
Fre. 159.—FEMALE PELVIS AS SEEN FROM THE FRONT. 
ilium in front and above, there is a wide interval, called the sacro-sciatic notch, 
which is, however, bridged across in the recent condition by the great and small 
sacro-sciatic ligaments, which thus convert it into two foramina, the larger above 
the spine of the ischium—the great sacro-sciatic foramen, the lower and smaller 
below the spine, called the small sacro-sciatic foramen. 
