pelvic cavity

(noun)

A body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis. Its oblique roof is the pelvic inlet (the superior opening of the pelvis). Its lower boundary is the pelvic floor.

Related Terms

Examples of pelvic cavity in the following topics:

  • False and True Pelves

    • This cavity is a short, curved canal, deeper on its posterior than on its anterior wall, and contains the pelvic inlet.
    • Some consider this region to be the entirety of the pelvic cavity.
    • Others define the pelvic cavity as the larger space including the false greater pelvis, just above the pelvic inlet .
    • Some consider this region to be part of the pelvic cavity, while others consider it part of the abdominal cavity (hence the name false pelvis).
    • Others compromise by referring to the area as the abdominopelvic cavity.

  • Body Cavities

    • Blood vessels are not considered cavities but may be held within cavities.
    • The abdominoplevic cavity is the posterior ventral body cavity found beneath the thoracic cavity and diaphragm.
    • It is generally divided into the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
    • The pelvic cavity is contained within the pelvis and houses the bladder and reproductive system.
    • Humans have multiple body cavities, including the cranial cavity, the vertebral cavity, the thoracic cavity (containing the pericardial cavity and the pleural cavity), the abdominal cavity, and the pelvic cavity.

  • Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs

    • The pelvic cavity is largely supplied by the paired internal iliac arteries, formed when the common iliac artery divides the internal iliac artery at the vertebral level L5 descends inferiorly into the lesser pelvis.
    • The posterior trunk gives rise to arteries that supply the posterior pelvic wall and the gluteal region, including the iliolumbar artery that supplies the psoas major muscle, the lateral sacral arteries, and the superior gluteal artery.

  • Levator Ani Injury and Urinary Stress Incontinence

    • It has been reported to occur in 10% to 24% of sexually-active women with pelvic floor disorders.
    • It is attached to the inner surface of the side of the lesser pelvis and unites with its fellow of the opposite side to form the greater part of the floor of the pelvic cavity.
    • It supports the viscera in pelvic cavity, and surrounds the various structures that pass through it.
    • In combination with the coccygeus muscle, it forms the pelvic diaphragm.
    • The discomfort may be relieved by walking or pelvic tightening exercises similar to Kegel exercises.

  • Endometriosis

    • Endometriosis is a condition where the cells of the endometrium leak out and grow outside of the uterine cavity.
    • The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are influenced by female hormones.
    • chronic pelvic pain – typically accompanied by lower back pain and abdominal pain
    • There can be pain with ovulation, pain associated with adhesions, pain caused by inflammation in the pelvic cavity, pain during bowel movements and urination, during general bodily movement like exercise, pain from standing or walking, and pain with intercourse.
    • Endoscopic image of endometrial lesions at the peritoneum of the pelvic wall.

  • Uterus

    • The uterus is in the middle of the pelvic cavity in frontal plane (due to ligamentum latum uteri).
    • In cases where the uterus is "tipped," also known as retroverted uterus, women may have symptoms of pain during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain during menstruation, minor incontinence, urinary tract infections, difficulty conceiving, and difficulty using tampons.
    • A pelvic examination by a doctor can determine if a uterus is tipped.
    • The lining of the uterine cavity is called the endometrium.
    • The uterus is primarily supported by the pelvic diaphragm, perineal body, and the urogenital diaphragm.

  • Adhesions

    • The term adhesion is applied when the scar extends from within one tissue across to another, usually across a virtual space such as the peritoneal cavity.
    • In body cavities such as the peritoneal, pericardial and synovial cavities, a family of fibrinolytic enzymes may act to limit the extent of the initial fibrinous adhesion, and may even dissolve it.
    • The adhesions start to form within hours after surgery and may cause internal organs to attach to the surgical site or to other organs in the abdominal cavity.
    • Adhesion-related twisting and pulling of internal organs can result in complications such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain.
    • Adhesions from prior abdominal or pelvic surgery can obscure visibility and access at subsequent abdominal or pelvic surgery.

  • The Peritoneum

    • The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom.
    • The abdominal cavity is the open space surrounded by the vertebrae, abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor.
    • Remember not to confuse the abdominal cavity with the intraperitoneal space, which is in fact located within the abdominal cavity, and wrapped in peritoneum tissue.
    • The potential space between these two layers is the peritoneal cavity.
    • The epiploic foramen, greater sac or general cavity (red) and lesser sac, or omental bursa (blue).

  • Body Cavity Membranes

    • The mesothelium is a membrane that forms the lining of several body cavities: the pleura (thoracic cavity), peritoneum (abdominal cavity including the mesentery) and pericardium (heart sac).
    • The mesothelium is composed of an extensive monolayer of specialized cells (mesothelial cells) that line the body's serous cavities and internal organs.
    • The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom—it covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs—in amniotes and some invertebrates (annelids, for instance).
    • The peritoneum both supports the abdominal organs and serves as a conduit for their blood and lymph vessels and nerves.The abdominal cavity (the space bounded by the vertebrae, abdominal muscles, diaphragm and pelvic floor) should not be confused with the intraperitoneal space (located within the abdominal cavity, but wrapped in peritoneum).
    • The structures within the intraperitoneal space are called "intraperitoneal" (e.g. the stomach), the structures in the abdominal cavity that are located behind the intraperitoneal space are called "retroperitoneal" (e.g. the kidneys), and those structures below the intraperitoneal space are called "subperitoneal" or "infraperitoneal" (e.g. the bladder).

  • Parasympathetic (Craniosacral) Division

    • Nerves that supply parasympathetic fibers to the parasympathetic ganglia of the head include the oculomotor nerve (ciliary ganglion); the facial nerve (pterygopalatine ganglion, submandibular ganglion); the glossopharyngeal nerve (otic ganglion); the vagus nerve (no named ganglion); and the pelvic splanchnic nerves (no named ganglion).
    • These paired ganglia supply all parasympathetic innervation to the head and neck: ciliary ganglion (spincter pupillae, ciliary muscle), pterygopalatine ganglion (lacrimal gland, glands of nasal cavity), submandibular ganglion (submandibular and sublingual glands), and otic ganglion (parotid gland).
    • The nerves that supply parasympathetic fibers to the parasympathetic ganglia of the head include the oculomotor nerve (ciliary ganglion), the facial nerve (pterygopalatine ganglion, submandibular ganglion), the glossopharyngeal nerve (otic ganglion), the vagus nerve, and the pelvic splanchnic nerves.