The type of pelvis in which the features are a heart-shaped brim, narrow pelvis, and sciatic notch with prominent ischial spines and a suprapubic angle < 90° is?

1. A

   Gynacoid pelvis

2. B

   Android pelvis

3. C

   Anthropoid pelvis

4. D

   Platypelloid pelvis

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2017 (Shift-1)

Explanation

• The Android pelvis is characterized by a heart-shaped or triangular brim, which is narrower in the anterior portion.
• It features prominent ischial spines and a narrow sciatic notch, which reduces the available space in the midpelvis for the fetus to pass through.
• The subpubic angle is acute, typically less than 90 degrees, which constricts the pelvic outlet.
• These combined features make the Android pelvis structurally less favorable for vaginal delivery and increase the risk of labor complications.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The Gynacoid pelvis has a round or slightly oval brim, a wide subpubic arch (greater than 90°), and non-prominent ischial spines. These features make it the most suitable and common pelvic type for childbirth.
• Option C: The Anthropoid pelvis has an oval-shaped brim that is wider anteroposteriorly than transversely. While it can accommodate vaginal birth, it often encourages the fetus to be in an occiput-posterior position.
• Option D: The Platypelloid pelvis is a flat pelvis with a kidney-shaped brim that is wide transversely but short anteroposteriorly. It is the rarest type and can lead to difficulties with fetal head engagement and descent.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of female pelvic types (Caldwell-Moloy) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Nurses and midwives perform clinical pelvimetry during antenatal care to assess the pelvic shape and dimensions, which helps in anticipating potential difficulties during labor and delivery.
• An Android pelvis is clinically significant as it is associated with a higher risk of labor dystocia (difficult labor), deep transverse arrest, and the need for operative delivery (forceps, vacuum, or cesarean section).
• What if? If the pelvic brim was described as round with a subpubic angle greater than 90 degrees, the correct answer would be the Gynacoid pelvis, which is the most common and ideal type for a spontaneous vaginal birth.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key descriptive terms in the question stem: "heart-shaped brim," "narrow pelvis," "prominent ischial spines," and "suprapubic angle < 90°."
• This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of the Caldwell-Moloy classification of pelvic types.
• Systematically compare the given features to the known characteristics of the four main pelvic types: Gynacoid, Android, Anthropoid, and Platypelloid.
• Recall that a heart-shaped brim and a narrow subpubic angle are the most distinct features of the Android pelvis.
• Confirm that the other descriptors, such as prominent ischial spines, also align with the characteristics of an Android pelvis.
• Eliminate the other options based on their distinct features: Gynacoid (round), Anthropoid (anteroposteriorly oval), and Platypelloid (transversely oval/flat).

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Classification of female pelvic types (Caldwell-Moloy)
• Stem keywords: pelvis, heart-shaped brim, narrow pelvis, sciatic notch, prominent ischial spines, suprapubic angle
• Lead-in keywords: is?
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QyhcYWnm6s6Fgss_HikHC_

Copy ID

Reference Book

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

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 16-32