[-veez] . Anatomy, Zoology. 1605–15; < Neo-Latin; Latin: basin; akin to Greek pellís bowl
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| the roof of the mouth, consisting of a hard palate and a soft palate that separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity |
| a cord connecting the embryo or fetus with the placenta of the mother and transporting nourishment from the mother and wastes from the fetus |
| pelvis (ˈpɛlvɪs) | |
| —n , pl -vises, -ves | |
| 1. | the large funnel-shaped structure at the lower end of the trunk of most vertebrates: in man it is formed by the hipbones and sacrum |
| 2. | the bones that form this structure |
| 3. | any anatomical cavity or structure shaped like a funnel or cup |
| 4. | short for renal pelvis |
| [C17: from Latin: basin, laver] | |
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pelvis
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pelvis pel·vis (pěl'vĭs)
n. pl. pel·vis·es or pel·ves (-vēz)
A basin-shaped structure of the vertebrate skeleton, composed of the innominate bones on the sides, the pubis in front, and the sacrum and coccyx behind, that rests on the lower limbs and supports the spinal column.
The cavity formed by this structure.
A basinlike or cup-shaped anatomical cavity.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| pelvis (pěl'vĭs) Pronunciation Key
Plural pelvises or pelves (pěl'vēz) The basin-shaped structure in vertebrate animals that joins the spine and lower or hind limbs. In primates, the pelvis is composed of the two hipbones joined to the sacrum. It contains, protects, and supports the intestines, bladder, and internal reproductive organs. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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pelvis definition
The bowl-shaped group of bones connecting the trunk of the body to the legs and supporting the spine. The pelvis includes the hip bones and the lower part of the backbone.
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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pelvis
in human anatomy, basin-shaped complex of bones that connects the trunk and legs, supports and balances the trunk, and contains and supports the intestines, urinary bladder, and internal sex organs. The pelvic girdle consists of paired hipbones, connected in front at the pubic symphysis and behind by the sacrum; each is made up of three bones-the blade-shaped ilium, above and to either side, which accounts for the width of the hips; the ischium, behind and below, on which the weight falls in sitting; and the pubis, in front. All three unite in early adulthood at a triangular suture in the acetabulum, the cup-shaped socket that forms the hip joint with the head of the femur (thighbone). The ring made by the pelvic girdle functions as the birth canal in females. The pelvis provides attachment for muscles that balance and support the trunk and move the legs, hips, and trunk. In the infant the pelvis is narrow and nonsupportive. As the child begins walking, the pelvis broadens and tilts, the sacrum descends deeper into its articulation with the ilia, and the lumbar curve develops.
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