Sacrospinous ligament

Sacrospinous ligament is a thin, triangular ligament in the human body. It is one of the pelvic ligaments providing stability to the pelvis. The ligament is attached to the sacrum and the ischial spine, hence the name 'sacrospinous'.

Etymology

The term 'sacrospinous' is derived from the Latin words 'sacrum' meaning 'sacred bone' and 'spina' meaning 'spine'. The ligament is named for its attachment points - the sacrum and the ischial spine.

Anatomy

The sacrospinous ligament is a thin, triangular ligament that spans the sacrum to the ischial spine. It is one of the pelvic ligaments that provide stability to the pelvis. The ligament is attached to the sacrum and the ischial spine, hence the name 'sacrospinous'.

Function

The sacrospinous ligament serves to prevent the outward rotation of the sacrum, thus maintaining the stability of the pelvis. It also provides a boundary for the greater and lesser sciatic foramina, which are important passageways for neurovascular structures entering and exiting the pelvis.

Clinical significance

The sacrospinous ligament can be involved in certain surgical procedures, such as sacrospinous ligament fixation, a procedure used to treat uterine prolapse. It can also be a site of pain in conditions such as pudendal neuralgia.

Related terms

• Sacroiliac joint
• Ischial spine
• Pelvis
• Uterine prolapse
• Pudendal neuralgia

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Sacrospinous_ligament

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the sacrospinous ligament

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  Gray's Anatomy illustration of the pelvic ligaments