CLINICAL APPLICATION OF FEMALE PELVIC ANATOMY IN OBSTETRIC PRACTICE: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
female pelvic anatomy, postpartum hemorrhage, placenta accreta spectrum, clinical anatomy, obstetric practiceAbstract
Background: Female pelvic anatomy is fundamental to obstetric practice, providing the anatomical basis for clinical assessment, diagnosis, surgical planning, and the management of pregnancy-related complications. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence regarding the clinical applications of female pelvic anatomy in contemporary obstetric practice.
Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. Twenty-seven articles published between 2021 and 2026 were screened, and sixteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the final synthesis. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify major anatomical domains and their clinical applications.
Results: Five major anatomical domains were identified: the bony pelvis, uterus and lower uterine segment, pelvic vasculature, pelvic floor, and pelvic biomechanics. The evidence consistently demonstrated that anatomical knowledge supports the management of obstructed labor, placenta accreta spectrum, postpartum hemorrhage, complex cesarean delivery, and obstetric anal sphincter injury. Furthermore, advances in magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, artificial intelligence, and anatomy-guided surgical techniques have enhanced anatomical assessment and individualized clinical decision-making.
Conclusion: Female pelvic anatomy extends beyond descriptive science and serves as a cornerstone of evidence-based obstetric practice. Integrating anatomical knowledge with modern imaging, surgical innovation, and multidisciplinary care may improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize therapeutic strategies, and ultimately enhance maternal outcomes.
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