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Arcus Pubis – Pubic Arch Anatomy and Clinical Role

The arcus pubis, or pubic arch, is the bony arch beneath the pubic symphysis forming the lower boundary of the pelvic outlet, with key relevance in obstetrics.

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Things worth knowing about "Arcus pubis"

The arcus pubis, or pubic arch, is the bony arch beneath the pubic symphysis forming the lower boundary of the pelvic outlet, with key relevance in obstetrics.

Definition

The arcus pubis, commonly referred to as the pubic arch, is an anatomical structure of the bony pelvis. It is formed by the inferior pubic rami and the ischial rami, which converge below the pubic symphysis to create an arch. The arcus pubis constitutes the lower boundary of the pelvic outlet and is a fundamental component of pelvic anatomy.

Anatomy and Location

The arcus pubis is located in the anterior and inferior region of the pelvis. The angle formed by this arch is referred to as the subpubic angle or pubic angle, and it is an important measurement in clinical anatomy and obstetrics:

In the female pelvis (gynecoid pelvis), the subpubic angle typically measures 80 to 90 degrees or more, corresponding to a wide, rounded arch.
In the male pelvis (android pelvis), the angle is typically 70 degrees or less, resulting in a narrower, more angular arch.

These differences between the female and male pelvis are evolutionarily significant and are closely linked to the capacity for childbirth in the female anatomy.

Clinical Relevance in Obstetrics

The arcus pubis plays a central role in the assessment of the birth canal. A sufficiently wide subpubic angle is essential to allow the fetal head adequate space during passage through the pelvis.

A wide pubic arch (large angle) facilitates the descent of the fetal head and is considered a favorable finding for vaginal delivery.
A narrow pubic arch (small angle) can restrict the birth canal and may indicate a contracted pelvis (pelvis angusta), potentially leading to obstetric complications.

As part of clinical pelvimetry, the subpubic angle is assessed through manual examination or imaging techniques such as MRI pelvimetry. This evaluation helps obstetricians estimate the risk of prolonged labor, labor arrest, or shoulder dystocia.

Pelvic Morphology and Variants

In classical obstetric anatomy, four pelvic types are distinguished, each characterized by a differently shaped arcus pubis:

Gynecoid pelvis: Rounded pelvis with a wide pubic arch – the most common type and most favorable for vaginal birth.
Android pelvis: Heart-shaped, narrow pelvis with a pointed pubic arch – less favorable for vaginal delivery.
Anthropoid pelvis: Oval in the anteroposterior diameter with a moderately wide arch.
Platypelloid pelvis: Transversely oval with a wide but shallow arch.

Diagnostic Methods

Assessment of the arcus pubis is performed in clinical practice using several approaches:

Manual palpation: The examiner places the thumb beneath the symphysis and estimates the angle of the pubic arch.
X-ray pelvimetry: Less commonly used today due to radiation exposure concerns.
MRI pelvimetry: A radiation-free method that allows precise measurement of pelvic dimensions, particularly when a contracted pelvis is suspected.

References

Schünke M, Schulte E, Schumacher U. Prometheus – Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System. 5th Edition. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2018.
Cunningham FG et al. Williams Obstetrics. 25th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
Standring S (ed.). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd Edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier; 2020.

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