The pelvis is the large, bowl-shaped bone structure at the bottom of your spine that connects your legs to your upper body. If you put your hands on your hips, you're feeling the top edges of your pelvis. This sturdy bone framework supports your whole upper body when you sit, stand, or walk.

Think of the pelvis as a protective basin that cradles and shields important organs in your lower abdomen. When you sit in a chair, you're resting on the bottom of your pelvis. When you run or jump, your pelvis transfers power from your leg muscles to move your whole body forward.

The pelvis is actually made up of several bones that fuse together as you grow. It includes the hip bones on each side, which form the socket joints where your thigh bones connect. These ball-and-socket joints at your hips let you move your legs in many directions: forward and back for walking, side to side for skating, and rotating for dancing or kicking a soccer ball.

Doctors and scientists study the pelvis because it reveals important information. Archaeologists can estimate someone's age and identify ancient skeletons by examining pelvic bones. Your pelvis grows and changes shape as you develop from childhood through adulthood.