Anatomy Up Close: The Pelvis

Clinical anatomy wet-lab

University of Melbourne Medical School

Saturday 15 November 2025 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM AEDT

Get up close with the pelvic anatomy you treat every day to deepen your understanding of pelvic pain presentations.

If it’s been a while since you had the privilege of returning to the anatomy laboratory to learn, then you’ll love this event!

Pelvic pain and organ dysfunction is a common presentation - with 1 in 5 women and 1 in 12 men suffering at some time in their life. This sensitive area of practice requires a sound understanding of functional pelvic anatomy, embryology and how this translates to common symptomatology, and individualised treatment.

This clinical anatomy course - hosted at the University of Melbourne Cadaver Wet Lab - utilises real cases seen by the interdisciplinary team at the Women’s Health & Research Institute of Australia in Sydney to review the clinical anatomy of pre-dissected pelvic cadavers under the guidance of gynaecological surgeon and pain medicine physician Prof Thierry Vancaillie and advanced pain management osteopath Liz Howard.

These cases will highlight the importance of understanding the complex interrelationship of the pelvic anatomy structures and how this helps us understand patient symptoms.

The day will conclude with a tour of Melbourne Uni’s private Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology - one of Australia's largest collections of human tissue specimens, comparative anatomy specimens and historical anatomical models.

Learning objectives:

At the end of this workshop you will be able to;

• Better visualise the anatomical structures of pelvic anatomy
• Describe the key features of embryological development of the pelvis and perineum
• Identify the key anatomical structures on cadaver specimens relevant to common pelvic and perineal pain presentations including;

1. Musculoskeletal tissues of the pelvic girdle (SIJ, PS, Coccyx)
2. Pelvic floor muscles and the interrelationship to the hip
3. Lumbosacral plexus, pelvic and perineal nerve pathways
4. Pelvic organ relationships and connections to musculoskeletal structures

• List the key clinical signs and symptoms of the common clinical presentations of the pelvis and perineum such as;

1. Pelvic girdle pain
2. Coccydynia
3. Pelvic floor myalgia
4. Piriformis syndrome
5. Pelvic nerve pain including pudendal, obturator

• Describe the key clinical features of the above conditions and when further diagnostic testing is indicated (eg. when an internal / gynaecological examination is required)

Details and Registration

Disclaimer: Content correct at the time of publication.