[The anatomy of the pelvis].

The pelvis consists of the sacrum, the ossa coxae, and additionally the ligaments between these bones. According to mathematical calculations the bony structure as well as the arrangement of ligaments result in optimal engineering principles, i.e. maximal strength is achieved by minimal principles, i.e. maximal strength is achieved by minimal material. The muscles inside the pelvis are covered by a fascial layer. The latter represents a continuation of the abdominal transversal fascia which extends to the pelvic floor. The connective tissue fibres around the pelvic viscera interweave with those of the pelvic floor and laterally with the connective tissue around vessels and nerves. Connective tissue around the neurovascular sheaths is nearly transversely arranged and forms the lateral ligaments of bladder, uterus or prostate gland and the rectum. Several vertically arranged connective tissue ligaments accompany either the superior rectal artery and hypogastric nerves or the ureter and the ovarian vessels. Therefore, the lymphatic fluid of the pelvic organs passes the aortic lymph nodes and/or to the lateral pelvic wall along the branches of the internal iliac vessels.