Pubis (Pubic Bone): Anatomy, Function, and Treatment

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyStructureFunctionPelvic FracturesOsteitis PubisPelvic Bone Cancer

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Anatomy

Structure

Function

Pelvic Fractures

Osteitis Pubis

Pelvic Bone Cancer

The pubic bone is one of the three main bones that make up the pelvis, a structure located between the abdomen and thighs. It’s also called thepubis, and is the most forward-facing bone of the pelvic bones, which also include theiliumandischium.

Different conditions can affect the pubis, which is designed to protect the urinary organs and the internal sex organs. The pubis has a different form and function in people born female compared to people born male.

The pubis is located at the front of the body just below the abdomen. There are two halves to the pubis. Each half has three sections:

Some studies have identified ways in which the male and female pelvis are similar or considered parallel in structure.The pelvis differs between biological sexes in the following ways:

The variations in the structure of the pelvis are necessary because there are differences in the urinary and sexual organs of each biological sex. They also vary in terms of function.

With the pubis, one difference between the sexes is in the pubic symphysis:

In the female sex, thebladderis directly behind the pubic bone. Behind the bladder are theuterus,fallopian tubes,ovaries, and uppervagina. The rectum is in the back of the pelvis. Some differences are more accommodating to childbirth.

Variations in the female pelvic structure are classified as:

The pubis joins the rear bones of the pelvic girdle, providing a stable junction between the trunk and the legs. Together, the bones of the pelvic have several jobs:

The pubis is also the attachment point for the tissue that connects bone to bone (ligaments) and the tissue that connects muscle to bone (tendons), including:

There are several conditions that can affect the pubis. Each one requires a different treatment and rehabilitation plan. Keep in mind thatpelvic painnear the pubic bone also can have other causes involving other body systems. Examples include:

Can Pelvic Exercises Help Back Pain?

When a person breaks their pubic bone, they cannot walk, sit, or move without pain. If the pubis is fractured, the bone must be immobilized to allow for complete healing. However, the pubic bone is hard to immobilize. Treatment will include:

A broken pubic bone can take eight to 12 weeks to heal.In some cases, surgery is needed.

The symptoms of osteitis pubis includepain in the groinor lower abdomen. There can also be pain and tenderness when pressure is put on the pubic bone. The condition can be easily mistaken for menstrual cramps or a pulled muscle.

Osteitis pubis is treated with:

Although rare, it’s possible for cancer to affect the pelvic bone. Bone cancers that most often affect the pelvis include:

Osteosarcoma often affects younger people, while radiation therapy used to treat other conditions can increase the risk in older people. Surgery to remove affected bone can involve pubis removal.

Summary

The primary function of the pubis is to support and protect the urinary and internal sexual organs.

The pubis can be broken. Athletes can develop a condition called osteitis pubis in which the pubic bone becomes inflamed from repetitive stress. Both conditions are treated with rest and benefit from rehabilitation with a physical therapist. Rarely, cancer can affect the pubic bone.

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berk T, Zderic I, Caspar J, Schwarzenberg P, Pastor T, Halvachizadeh S,et al.A Novel Implant for Superior Pubic Ramus Fracture Fixation-Development and a Biomechanical Feasibility Study.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Apr 10;59(4):740. doi:10.3390/medicina59040740Chen Z, Li Q, Liu R, Guo H, Tang P, Chen H.Research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis.Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 15; 37(12):1541-1547. Chinese. doi:10.7507/1002-1892.202306093Farag A, Muctar S, Petros P.Pubourethral and uterosacral male analogues suggest parallel male/female pelvic anatomy and symptom pathogenesis.Ann Transl Med.2024 Apr 22;12(2):40. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1888VanSickle C, Liese KL, Rutherford JN.Textbook typologies: Challenging the myth of the perfect obstetric pelvis.Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2022 Apr;305(4):952-967. doi:10.1002/ar.24880Cedars-Sinai.Pelvic Fracture.Via AG, Frizziero A, Finotti P, Oliva F, Randelli F, Maffulli N.Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature.Open Access J Sports Med. 2018;10:1–10. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S155077Laitinen MK, Parry MC, Morris GV, Jeys LM.Pelvic bone sarcomas, prognostic factors, and treatment: A narrative review of the literature.Scand J Surg. 2023 Sep;112(3):206-215. doi:10.1177/14574969231181504

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berk T, Zderic I, Caspar J, Schwarzenberg P, Pastor T, Halvachizadeh S,et al.A Novel Implant for Superior Pubic Ramus Fracture Fixation-Development and a Biomechanical Feasibility Study.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Apr 10;59(4):740. doi:10.3390/medicina59040740Chen Z, Li Q, Liu R, Guo H, Tang P, Chen H.Research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis.Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 15; 37(12):1541-1547. Chinese. doi:10.7507/1002-1892.202306093Farag A, Muctar S, Petros P.Pubourethral and uterosacral male analogues suggest parallel male/female pelvic anatomy and symptom pathogenesis.Ann Transl Med.2024 Apr 22;12(2):40. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1888VanSickle C, Liese KL, Rutherford JN.Textbook typologies: Challenging the myth of the perfect obstetric pelvis.Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2022 Apr;305(4):952-967. doi:10.1002/ar.24880Cedars-Sinai.Pelvic Fracture.Via AG, Frizziero A, Finotti P, Oliva F, Randelli F, Maffulli N.Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature.Open Access J Sports Med. 2018;10:1–10. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S155077Laitinen MK, Parry MC, Morris GV, Jeys LM.Pelvic bone sarcomas, prognostic factors, and treatment: A narrative review of the literature.Scand J Surg. 2023 Sep;112(3):206-215. doi:10.1177/14574969231181504

Berk T, Zderic I, Caspar J, Schwarzenberg P, Pastor T, Halvachizadeh S,et al.A Novel Implant for Superior Pubic Ramus Fracture Fixation-Development and a Biomechanical Feasibility Study.Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Apr 10;59(4):740. doi:10.3390/medicina59040740Chen Z, Li Q, Liu R, Guo H, Tang P, Chen H.Research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis.Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 15; 37(12):1541-1547. Chinese. doi:10.7507/1002-1892.202306093Farag A, Muctar S, Petros P.Pubourethral and uterosacral male analogues suggest parallel male/female pelvic anatomy and symptom pathogenesis.Ann Transl Med.2024 Apr 22;12(2):40. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1888VanSickle C, Liese KL, Rutherford JN.Textbook typologies: Challenging the myth of the perfect obstetric pelvis.Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2022 Apr;305(4):952-967. doi:10.1002/ar.24880Cedars-Sinai.Pelvic Fracture.Via AG, Frizziero A, Finotti P, Oliva F, Randelli F, Maffulli N.Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature.Open Access J Sports Med. 2018;10:1–10. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S155077Laitinen MK, Parry MC, Morris GV, Jeys LM.Pelvic bone sarcomas, prognostic factors, and treatment: A narrative review of the literature.Scand J Surg. 2023 Sep;112(3):206-215. doi:10.1177/14574969231181504

Chen Z, Li Q, Liu R, Guo H, Tang P, Chen H.Research progress of pubic symphysis diastasis.Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023 Dec 15; 37(12):1541-1547. Chinese. doi:10.7507/1002-1892.202306093

Farag A, Muctar S, Petros P.Pubourethral and uterosacral male analogues suggest parallel male/female pelvic anatomy and symptom pathogenesis.Ann Transl Med.2024 Apr 22;12(2):40. doi:10.21037/atm-23-1888

VanSickle C, Liese KL, Rutherford JN.Textbook typologies: Challenging the myth of the perfect obstetric pelvis.Anat Rec (Hoboken). 2022 Apr;305(4):952-967. doi:10.1002/ar.24880

Cedars-Sinai.Pelvic Fracture.

Via AG, Frizziero A, Finotti P, Oliva F, Randelli F, Maffulli N.Management of osteitis pubis in athletes: rehabilitation and return to training - a review of the most recent literature.Open Access J Sports Med. 2018;10:1–10. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S155077

Laitinen MK, Parry MC, Morris GV, Jeys LM.Pelvic bone sarcomas, prognostic factors, and treatment: A narrative review of the literature.Scand J Surg. 2023 Sep;112(3):206-215. doi:10.1177/14574969231181504

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