Correct Answer: hip bone
the pelvis, a crucial structure in the human body, serves as the foundational region connecting the trunk and the lower limbs. it provides support for the weight of the upper body when sitting and standing and is critical for bearing loads during walking and lifting. additionally, the pelvis houses and protects various organs, including those of the lower digestive tract and the reproductive organs.
the pelvis is composed of several bones which include the sacrum, coccyx, and two hip bones (each hip bone is often referred to as an os coxae or an innominate bone). the sacrum is a triangular bone situated at the lower part of the vertebral column and wedged between the two hip bones. the coccyx, or the tailbone, is located at the very base of the sacrum and has little direct function in modern humans but is an attachment site for various muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
each hip bone is formed from three fused bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. these bones converge in a region known as the acetabulum, which serves as the socket for the femoral head (the upper part of the thigh bone) creating the hip joint. the ilium is the largest and most superior of the three, forming the broad, wing-like part on each side. the ischium forms the lower and back part of the hip bone, and the pubis forms the lower frontal portion of the hip bone.
in the context of the question provided, the correct answer would be that the pelvis is comprised of the sacrum, coccyx, and two hip bones. other options such as cranium, conchae, and maxillary are parts of the human skeleton but are not components of the pelvis. the cranium forms the skull minus the mandible, conchae are small bones found within the nasal cavity, and the maxillary bones form the upper jaw. none of these are related to the structure of the pelvis.
|