Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

front. Each hip bone consists of 3 fused

bones: the ilium (the largest and upper-

most), ischium (which bears much of

the body weight when sitting), and

pubis (the smallest).

In women, the pelvis is generally shal-

low and broad, and the pubic symphysis

joint is less rigid than a man’s. These

differences facilitate childbirth. In men,

the greater body weight needs a larger

and more heavily built pelvis.

pemphigoidAn uncommon chronic skin

disease, mainly affecting elderly people,

in which large, sometimes itchy, blisters

form on the skin. Pemphigoid is thought

to be an autoimmune disorder. Diagnosis

is made with a skin biopsy, and treatment

is usually a long-term course of cortico-

steroid or immunosuppressant drugs.

pemphigusA rare, serious skin disease

in which blistersdevelop on the skin

and in the mouth. Pemphigus primarily

affects people aged 40–60. The blisters

usually develop in the mouth, before

appearing on the skin and then ruptur-

ing to form raw areas that may become

infected and later crust over. Skin that

appears unaffected may also blister

after gentle pressure is applied. If a

large area of the body is affected, severe

skin loss can lead to bacterial infection

and, sometimes, death.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a skin

biopsy. Treatment is with a long-term

course of corticosteroid drugsand, some-

times,immunosuppressants. Antibiotics

may also be prescribed.

penicillamineAn antirheumatic drug

sometimes used to treat rheumatoid

recurrent pelvic infection is referred to

as pelvic inflammatory disease(PID).

pelvic inflammatory diseaseAn infec-

tion of the internal female reproductive

organs.Pelvic inflammatory disease (or

PID) may not have any obviouscause,

but may occur as a result of a sexually

transmitted infection, such as gonor-

rhoea, or after a miscarriage, an abortion,

or childbirth. An IUDincreases the risk

of infection. PID may cause infertilityor

increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Common symptoms include abdominal

pain and tenderness, fever, and irregu-

lar menstrual periods. Pain often occurs

after menstruation and may be worse

during intercourse. There may also be

malaise, vomiting, or backache. A diag-

nosis is usually made by an internal

pelvic examination, examination of swabs

to look for infection, and a laparoscopy.

Antibiotic drugsand sometimes anal-

gesic drugsare prescribed. An IUD may

need to be removed.

pelvic painSee abdominal pain.

pelvimetryAssessment of the shape

and dimensions of a woman’s pelvis by

making measurements on an X-ray

image. Pelvimetry may be carried out to

determine whether a woman is likely

to have difficulty in delivering a baby

vaginally. The procedure may also be

performed after a vaginal delivery has

been unsuccessful, to assist in planning

a future pregnancy.

pelvisThe ring of bones in the lower

trunk consisting of 2 innominate (hip)

bones, which are joined to the sacrumat

the back and the pubic symphysisat the

PELVIS

Pubic

symphysis

Sacrum

Pubis

Ischium

MALE PELVIS FEMALE PELVIS

Ilium

Pelvic

inlet Wider, more

circular

pelvic inlet

Coccyx

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE PENICILLAMINE

P