The two halves of the pelvic girdle are joined together at the?

1. Analyze the question The question asks where the left and right halves of the pelvic girdle (the two hip bones, or innominate bones) meet each other.

2. Explain the concept Each hip bone is formed by three fused bones:

• Ilium: the upper, broad, wing-like part.
• Ischium: the lower, posterior part that you sit on.
• Pubis: the front part.

At the back, the hip bones join the sacrum at the sacroiliac joints. At the front, the two pubic bones meet at a joint called the pubic symphysis. It is a cartilaginous joint with a fibrocartilage disc between the bones.

3. Solution, option by option

• A. Pubic symphysis: This is the joint where the two halves meet at the front. ✔
• B. Ilium: This is part of each half. It joins the sacrum, not the opposite hip bone.
• C. Pubis: This is a bone, part of each half. The two pubic bones meet at the symphysis, but the actual joining point is the symphysis.
• D. Obturator foramen: This is a large opening in the hip bone, formed between the pubis and ischium. It is not a joint.

4. Answer The two halves of the pelvic girdle are joined at the pubic symphysis, which is option A.

5. Exam tip Remember: "Pubic symphysis = Public meeting point at the front." The two hip bones meet at the front (pubic symphysis) and attach to the back (sacrum). If an option names a joint and the others name bones or holes, the joint is usually the answer to a "joined at" question.