Assessing the role of the pelvic canal in supporting the gut in humans

Abstract

The human pelvic canal (true pelvis) functions to support the abdominopelvic organs and serves as a passageway for reproduction (females). Previous research suggests that these two functions work against each other with the expectation that the supportive role results in a narrower pelvic midplane, while fetal passage necessitates a larger opening. In this research, we examine how gut size relates to the size and shape of the true pelvis, which may have implications on how gut size can influence pelvic floor integrity. Pelves and in vivo gut volumes were measured from CT scans of 92 adults (48 female, 44 male). The true pelvis was measured at three obstetrical planes (inlet, midplane, outlet) using 11 3D landmarks. CT volumetry was used to obtain an individual’s gut size. Gut volume was compared to the pelvic planes using multiple regression to evaluate the relationship between gut size and the true pelvis. We find that, in males, larger gut sizes are associated with increased mediolateral canal dimensions at the inlet and midplane. In females, we find that larger gut sizes are associated with more medially-projecting ischial spines and an anteroposteriorly longer outlet. We hypothesize that the association of larger guts with increased canal width in males and increased outlet length in females are adaptations to create adequate space for the gut, while more medially projecting ischial spines reduce the risk of pelvic floor disorders in females, despite its possible spatial consequences for fetal passage.

Beckenanatomie und biomechanische Aspekte

“…Diese eher technische Bezeichnung wird allerdings der Komplexität des Beckens nicht gerecht. Das Becken beinhaltet auch die Ausscheidungs-und Sexualorgane, bietet eine Unterstützung für den Bauchinhalt (Darm) [6] und ist wesentlich an der Aufrechterhaltung der Körperhaltung und der Fortbewegung beteiligt. Damit ist die normale Funktion des Beckens eine Voraussetzung für die ungestörte Durchführung vieler Aktivitäten des persönlichen und sozialen Lebens, kurz: für die Lebensqualität.…”

The mystery of morphometric measurements of the coxal bone

“…The sacrum and coxal bone are bones that participate in the formation of the birth canal [1][2]. The pelvic canal serves as a passageway for reproduction and functions to support the abdominopelvic organs [3]. Therefore, it is clinically important to know the anatomical structure of the bones in this formation, including the coxal bone that forms the pelvic skeleton [1][2][3].…”

Testing the reliability of the rearticulation of osteological primate pelves in comparative morphological studies

“…In the advent of open science and data sharing, whole‐body CT scans from living and cadaveric specimens are becoming increasingly available via on‐line repositories. These CT scans contain anatomically connected pelves that do not need to be rearticulated and have served as the main data source for many recent investigations (Brynskog et al, 2021; Buck et al, 2021; Huseynov et al, 2016, 2017; Kawada et al, 2020; Kubicka, 2023; Morimoto et al, 2023; Starrach et al, 2023; Torres‐Tamayo et al, 2018; Torres‐Tamayo, Martelli, et al, 2020; Torres‐Tamayo, Schlager, et al, 2020; Uy & Laudicina, 2021; Waltenberger et al, 2022).…”