Generality
The pubis is one of the three bony components of the ilium, along with the ilium and ischium.
Specifically, it represents the lower and anterior part of the iliac bone, which is an even bone.
Located inferior to the ilium and anterior to the ischium, the pubis has three anatomically relevant sections: the body of the pubis, the upper branch of the pubis and the lower branch of the pubis.
Among the anatomical structures that distinguish the aforementioned sections of the pubis, the following deserve a mention: the acetabulum (N.B: the pubis forms a part of it), the pubic crest, the pubic tubercle and the obturator foramen.
The pubis contributes to the formation of two joints: the hip joint (through the acetabulum) and the pubic symphysis (with the contralateral iliac bone pubis).
The pathologies of the pubis include: bone fractures, hip pathologies and diastasis of the pubic symphysis.
What is the pubis?
The pubis, also known as the pubic bone, is one of the three bony portions that make up the iliac bone.
The other two portions of the ilium are the ilium and the ischium.
WHAT IS ILIAC BONE?
The iliac bone, also known as the hip bone, is the even and symmetrical bone which, together with the sacrum and the coccyx, constitutes that anatomical structure identified with the name of pelvic girdle.
POSITION OF THE PUBLIC COMPARED TO ILIO AND ISCHIO
The pubis represents the lower and anterior part of the iliac bone.
It resides inferior to the ilium - which is the upper portion of the iliac bone - and in front of the ischium - which is the lower and posterior portion of the ilium.
Briefly, the ilium is important for its relationship with the sacrum: with the latter it forms the sacro iliac joint. The ischium, on the other hand, is important because it is the strongest and most resistant portion of the iliac bone and the one on which the weight of the body rests, in the sitting position.
THE PUBIC BONE IS PART OF THE BONES OF THE PELVIS
The iliac bone - with its three sections ilium, ischium and pubis - and the combination of sacro-coccyx represent the so-called pelvic bones.
Anatomists call the pelvis, or pelvis, or pelvic region, the lower torso of the human body.
Located between the abdomen and the thighs, the pelvis comprises, in addition to the pelvic bones: the so-called pelvic cavity, the so-called pelvic floor and the so-called perineum.
Anatomy
Anatomists recognize three regions of some importance in the pubis: the body of the pubis, the upper branch of the pubis and the lower branch of the pubis.
Figure: 1) sacrum; 2) ilium; 3) ischium; 4) pubis; 4a) body of the pubis 4b) upper branch of the pubis 4c) lower branch of the pubis 5) pubic symphysis 6) acetabulum 7) obturator hole 8) coccyx.
BODY OF THE PUBE
The body of the pubis is the wide, resistant and flat region, which lies between the upper branch of the pubis and the lower branch of the pubis and which, articulating with the body of the pubis of the contralateral iliac bone, forms the so-called pubic symphysis. pubic is one of the three main joints of the iliac bone; the other two are the hip joint and the sacro iliac joint.
Two areas of the pubic body deserve a brief description: the so-called pubic crest and the internal surface.
- Pubic crest: it is a "rough area, which, in a lateral position, has a prominence known as the pubic tubercle. The pubic tubercle is an anatomical element useful to doctors, when they want to identify the so-called superficial inguinal ring and the so-called femoral canal.
- Internal (or rear) surface: contributes to the formation of part of the wall of the small pelvis. In addition, it gives rise to some fibers of the internal obturator muscle.
UPPER BRANCH OF THE PUBE
The superior branch of the pubis is the superior portion of the pubic bone; oriented towards the ilium and connected to the latter, it contributes to the formation of the so-called obturator hole and to the formation of the acetabulum. Exactly, the contribution of the superior branch of the pubis, to the constitution of the acetabulum, is equal to one fifth.
Of the superior branch of the pubis, the external (or anterior) and the internal (or posterior) surfaces deserve special mention.
There outer surface it is important, because it gives rise to some muscle fibers such as: the long adductor muscle, the external obturator muscle, the short adductor muscle and the gracilis muscle.
There inner surfaceinstead, it is important, because it forms part of the wall of the small pelvis and acts as the point of origin of some fibers of the internal obturator muscle.
LOWER BRANCH OF THE PUBE
The lower branch of the pubis is the lower portion of the pubic bone. Oriented towards the ischium, it forms, with the lower branch of the latter, the so-called ischio-pubic branch. The ischio-pubic branch provides a decisive contribution to the constitution of the obturator hole.
Of the superior branch of the pubis, the external (or anterior) and the internal (or posterior) surface deserve special attention.
There outer surface it is important, as it gives rise to some fibers of the gracilis muscle, the external obturator muscle, the short adductor muscle and the adductor major muscle.
There inner surface, on the other hand, it is relevant, because it is the point of origin of some fibers of the internal obturator muscle and of the constrictor muscle of the urethra.
What is the obturator hole?
The obturator hole is precisely a hole, deriving from the particular arrangement of the ischium and the pubic bone, through which the obturator nerve, the obturator artery and the obturator vein pass.
Development
The three sections of the iliac bone - ilium, ischium and pubis - are fused together.
The fusion of the aforesaid sections is a process that, in the human being, takes place around the 14th / 15th year of life.
Functions
The bones of the pelvis, of which the pubis is in fact one of the various components, have at least three noteworthy tasks:
- Support the upper body;
- Connect the axial skeleton (which includes the skull, the vertebral column, the rib cage, etc.) to the lower limbs;
- Giving insertion to muscles, ligaments and tendons, essential for walking and more.
ISCHIO AND HIP JOINT
By participating in the formation of a fifth of the acetabulum, the pubic bone enters the list of components that make up the hip joint.
The hip is important because it allows the human being to stand upright, walk, run, jump, etc.
Associated pathologies
Among the pathologies that can affect the ilium, bone fractures, diastasis of the pubic symphysis and pathologies of the hip, with specific involvement of the acetabulum, certainly deserve a mention.
HIP PATHOLOGIES
The two most important pathologies of the hip, which can derive from an anomaly of the acetabulum, are: coxarthrosis (or osteoarthritis of the hip) and congenital dysplasia of the hip.
Please note: all three portions of the ilium participate in the formation of the acetabulum, therefore not only the ilium but also the ischium and pubis.
DIASTASIS OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS
Pubic symphysis diastasis is the separation of the pubic symphysis, without fractures. It is due to a dislocation of the right and / or left pubis.
The possible causes of this dislocation include: pregnancy, the act of childbirth, trauma to the pelvis, bladder exstrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta, cleidocranial dysostosis, hypothyroidism and prune abdomen syndrome. .
BONE FRACTURES
Fractures of the pubis are injuries of a traumatic nature, which usually occur after accidental falls, car accidents or impacts during the practice of sports in which physical contact is required (eg rugby, American football, etc.).
The sections of the pubis most prone to fracture are the upper and lower branches.
Fractures of the pubis can be divided into two categories: stable fractures and unstable fractures. All fractures characterized by a single breaking point are stable; on the other hand, all fractures characterized by two or more breaking points are unstable.
A severe pubic fracture can result in damage to the bladder or urethra.
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