Giant pelvis

The Giant Pelvis (or Giant Pelves in plural) is a historical medical term that was once widely used in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. It denotes a rare and symmetrical enlargement of the female pelvis. In modern terms, it is sometimes referred to as a Justo-Major Pelvis.

Historical Background

Historically, renowned medical figures like Thomas Lathrop Stedman of Stedman's Medical Dictionary have discussed the Giant Pelvis in their writings. In these early definitions, a Giant Pelvis was characterized by having a pelvic oblique diameter measuring 24 cm or greater, specifically for a gynecoid type pelvis.

Modern Understanding

Over time, the understanding and criteria for what constitutes a Giant Pelvis have evolved. Originally, the condition was defined by a pelvis size that was 2.0 or more times above the average (given an average pelvic oblique diameter of 12 cm). However, using such a stringent value would considerably limit its incidence, leading to the relaxation of this definition.

Today, a more accepted criterion for defining a Giant Pelvis is a symmetrical enlargement of the pelvis by 1.5 times or more above the average. As this condition requires the pelvis to be symmetrical, various pelvic measurements are divided by known averages for those measurements to determine this ratio.

Pelvic Index

A common metric used to quantify the size of the pelvis relative to an average is the Pelvic Index. In this methodology, a pelvis that is 1.5 times the average size will have a Pelvic Index of 150 (1.5 multiplied by 100% of the average).

Clinical Significance

The clinical relevance of a Giant Pelvis can vary, but in the realm of obstetrics, it might affect childbirth and the delivery method. Recognizing and understanding the implications of a Giant Pelvis can be crucial for healthcare providers managing pregnancies.

See Also

• Pelvic Anatomy
• Gynecoid pelvis
• Thomas Lathrop Stedman
• Justo major pelvis