Sacrococcygeal ligament

Ligament connecting the sacrum and coccyx

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Carnegie stage
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Gives rise to
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The sacrococcygeal ligament (ligamentum sacrococcygeum) is a ligament that connects the sacrum to the coccyx. This ligament plays a crucial role in stabilizing the connection between these two bones, which are located at the base of the vertebral column.

Anatomy

The sacrococcygeal ligament is divided into several parts:

• Anterior sacrococcygeal ligament: This ligament is a continuation of the anterior longitudinal ligament and extends from the anterior surface of the sacrum to the anterior surface of the coccyx.
• Posterior sacrococcygeal ligament: This ligament is a continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament and extends from the posterior surface of the sacrum to the posterior surface of the coccyx. It is further divided into superficial and deep parts.
• Lateral sacrococcygeal ligaments: These ligaments extend from the lateral aspects of the sacrum to the lateral aspects of the coccyx.

Function

The primary function of the sacrococcygeal ligament is to provide stability to the sacrococcygeal joint, which is the joint between the sacrum and the coccyx. This joint is typically immobile, but the ligament helps to maintain its integrity and prevent excessive movement that could lead to injury.

Clinical significance

Injuries to the sacrococcygeal ligament can occur due to trauma, such as falls or direct blows to the area. Such injuries can result in pain and discomfort in the lower back and buttocks. In some cases, inflammation of the sacrococcygeal ligament can lead to conditions such as coccydynia, which is characterized by pain in the coccyx region.

Related pages

• Sacrum
• Coccyx
• Anterior longitudinal ligament
• Posterior longitudinal ligament
• Coccydynia
• Vertebral column

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