AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Easy

The most common type of pelvis in females is:

Appeared in: AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Explanation

  • The Gynaecoid pelvis is the most prevalent type in females, occurring in approximately 50% of women.
  • It is considered the classic 'female' pelvis and is the most favorable for vaginal childbirth.
  • Key features include a rounded or slightly oval inlet, straight pelvic sidewalls, and a wide subpubic arch (around 90 degrees), providing ample space for the fetal head.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is the least common type, found in only about 5% of women. It is a flat pelvis with a wide transverse diameter but a short anteroposterior diameter, which is unfavorable for vaginal delivery.
  • Option B: This type is found in about 25% of women. It has a long anteroposterior diameter. While it often allows for vaginal delivery, it is not the most common overall type.
  • Option C: This is the typical 'male' pelvis, found in about 20% of women. It has a heart-shaped or triangular inlet and a narrow subpubic arch, which can lead to difficult labor (dystocia).

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Caldwell-Moloy classification of female pelvic types and their prevalence as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding pelvic types is crucial for nurses and midwives to anticipate potential labor difficulties. A non-gynaecoid pelvis can increase the risk of cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), labor dystocia, and the need for operative delivery.
  • During labor, assessing the progress of fetal descent and rotation provides clues about the pelvic architecture and its adequacy for vaginal birth.
  • What if? If a woman is known to have an Android or Platypelloid pelvis, the nurse should be prepared for a potentially longer labor, monitor for signs of fetal distress and lack of progress, and anticipate a higher likelihood of requiring a cesarean section.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question from obstetrics.
  • Identify the core concept: types of female pelves and their frequency.
  • Recall the Caldwell-Moloy classification, which categorizes pelves into four main types.
  • Remember the approximate prevalence of each type: Gynaecoid (approximately 50%), Anthropoid (approximately 25%), Android (approximately 20%), and Platypelloid (approximately 5%).
  • Select the option with the highest prevalence, which is Gynaecoid.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Caldwell-Moloy classification of female pelvic types and their prevalence.
  • Stem keywords: most common, type of pelvis, females
  • Lead-in keywords: most common

Question ID

QDR57dghqwNnUn09ZtvBcl

Reference Book

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 16-33

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 38-46

Practise the full AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

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