Page 11 - 33Elctronic Book (3) Normal Labor
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2. Describe the main features of the fetal skull, and their importance for labor and
delivery.
The female bony pelvis
The pelvis is a hard ring of bone (see Figure 1), which supports and protects the
pelvic organs and the contents of the abdominal cavity. The muscles of the legs, back
and abdomen are attached to the pelvis, and their strength and power keep the body
upright and enable it to bend and twist at the waist, and to walk and run.
Figure 1 the bones of the female pelvis.
The woman’s pelvis is adapted for childbearing and is a wider and flatter shape
than the male pelvis.
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