Osteopathic Diagnosis of the Sacral Region

The pelvis consists of the bony pelvic girdle, the muscular and ligamentous pelvic floor, and the pelvic cavity, which contains viscera, vessels, and multiple nerves and muscles. The pelvic girdle, composed of 2 “hip” bones and the sacrum, is a ring-like bony structure of the axial skeleton that links the vertebral column with the lower extremities. The pelvic ring joints include the pubic symphysis anteriorly and the sacroiliac joints posteriorly. The hip bones are made up of 3 fused bones: the pubis, ischium, and ilium. The pelvic cavity houses various GI, urinary, and reproductive structures, which are supported by the muscles and connective tissue of the pelvic floor. The female pelvis, making accommodations for childbirth, is generally wider and larger than the male pelvis.

The human spine, or vertebral column, is the most important anatomical and functional axis of the human body. It consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae and is limited cranially by the skull and caudally by the sacrum. The vertebral column is the foundation for the trunk, provides an attachment for muscles and ligaments, and protects the spinal cord and nerve roots.