Ischial spine

Ischial Spine

The Ischial Spine is a significant anatomical structure in the human pelvis. It is a part of the ischium, one of the three fused bones that make up the hip bone. The ischial spine projects medially and slightly posteriorly from the posterior part of the body of the ischium.

Anatomy

The ischial spine is located superior to the Ischial tuberosity and inferior to the Greater sciatic notch. It serves as a landmark in the pelvis and is used in obstetrics to assess the progress of labor. The Pudendal nerve, Internal pudendal vessels, and the Nerve to obturator internus pass near the ischial spine.

Clinical Significance

The ischial spine can be palpated per rectum or per vagina, which is useful in obstetrics for determining the level of the fetal head during labor. It is also a landmark for the administration of Pudendal nerve block, a form of anesthesia used in childbirth and perineal surgery.

See Also

• Pelvis
• Ischium
• Pudendal nerve block

References

Ischial spine Resources
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