Sacrum Flashcards
what is the sacrum and where is it found
The sacrum is a large bone located at the terminal part of the vertebral canal, where it forms the posterior aspect of the pelvis. It is remarkably thick, which aids in supporting and transmitting the weight of the body.
In this article we will look at the anatomy of the sacrum – its gross structure, muscular and ligamentous attachments, neighbouring neurovasculature, as well as some relevant clinical notes.
what are the bony landmarks for the sacrum
The sacrum is formed by the fusion of the five sacral vertebrae. It has an inverted triangular, concave shape. The bone consists of a base, apex and four surfaces:
Base – articulates superiorly with the fifth lumbar vertebra and its associated intervertebral disc.
Apex – abuts the coccyx inferiorly.
Auricular surfaces – located laterally on the sacrum, and shaped like the outer ear – hence the name. Each articulates with the auricular surface of the ilium.
Anterior and posterior surfaces – provide attachment to pelvic ligaments and muscles.
Internally, the central canal of the vertebral column continues along the core of the sacrum and ends at the 4th sacral foramina, as the sacral hiatus.
what are the dorsalsurfaces of the sacrum
There are two surfaces of the sacrum – a coarse dorsal surface and a relatively smooth pelvic surface. When the patient is standing, the pelvic surface faces anteroinferiorly while the dorsal surface is in the posterosuperior direction.
Dorsal Surface
The dorsal surface of the sacrum is coarse and rugged. This can be attributed to the fusion of the sacral vertebrae, which give rise to three bony ridges (or crests).
In the midline of the dorsal surface, there is a central ridge of bone, called the median sacral crest. It is formed by the fusion of the spinous processes of the first three sacral vertebrae. It gives attachment to the supraspinous ligament.
The intermediate sacral crests are formed by the fusion of the sacral articular processes. The posterior sacroiliac ligaments are attached along this crest. It should be noted that the superior articulating process of S1 and the inferior articulating process of S5 are not fused. Therefore, the former articulates with the inferior articulating process of L5, while the latter – also known as the sacral cornu – articulates with the coccygeal cornu (superior articulating process of coccyx).
Finally, the transverse processes of the five sacral bones fuse to form the lateral sacral crests, which offers a point of attachment to the posterior sacroiliac ligaments as well as the sacrotuberous ligament. Fortunately, the fusion of these processes is not complete, therefore the sacral nerve fibers are allowed to enter and leave the central canal by way of the four pairs of posterior sacral foramina.
desribe the pelvic surface
Pelvic Surface
The pelvic surface of the sacrum is less remarkable than the dorsal surface. In the adult, the surface is marked by four transverse lines – the remnants of the fused sacral intervertebral discs (fusion of the sacral vertebrae begins at age 20).
Superiorly, there is an anterior projection of bone, known as the sacral promontory. It forms the posterior margin of the pelvic inlet and as a result, it is serially continuous with the margin of the ala of the sacrum, arcuate line of the ilium, and the pectin pubis and pubic crest of the pubic bone.
what are the two surfaces of the pelvis
dorsal and pelvic
what are the anterior musclar attachments of the scarum
Both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacrum serve as points of origin or attachment for several lower limb and back muscles. They can be divided into the those that are associated with the anterior surface, and those associated with the posterior surface.
Anterior Surface
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2018)Fig 1.2 - The semispinalis and multfidus muscles. Fig 1.4 – The multifidus muscle, which partly arises from the sacrum
Piriformis: Originates from S2 – S4 level of the pelvic surface. Due to its attachment at the trochanter of the femur, it is able to externally rotate, abduct, extend and stabilise the hip joint.
Coccygeus muscle inserts on the lower sacrum. It gives support to the contents of the pelvic cavity and due to its attachment to the coccyx, is able to flex the bone.
Iliacus – although it primarily arises from the iliac fossa, it also has fibers originating at the ala of the sacrum. Its distal attachment to the lesser trochanter of the femur allows it to flex the thigh at the hips and stabilize the hip joint.
desribe the posterior surface musclar attachments of the sacrum
Multifidus lumborum – the deepest muscle arising from the sacrum. Some of its fibers cover the upper two sacral foramina. This muscle attaches to the transverse processes of the superior vertebrae and is therefore able to help stabilize the spine.
Erector spinae – partly arises from the posterior sacrum and the sacrospinous ligament. It is essential in achieving extension and lateral bending of the head and vertebral column.
what are the neurofaular relations of the pelvid
Spinal Cord
The central canal of the sacrum is home to the sacral fibers of the cauda equina (a bundle of spinal nerves that arise from the terminus of the spinal cord). The proximal parts of these fibers are contained within the dural sac, which terminates at about the level of S2.
The filum terminale (a continuation of the pia mater from the conus medullaris of the spinal cord) is joined by the arachnoid and dura mater at the level of S2 and continues inferiorly through the sacrum as the coccygeal ligament to its attachment at the coccyx.
Autonomic
The sacral part of the two sympathetic trunks run along the pelvic surface of the sacrum, medial to the sacral foramina. Each trunk has four ganglia in this region.
Vasculature
The median and lateral sacral arteries share a close anatomical relationship with the sacrum:
Median sacral artery – has a midline relation to the sacrum. It is a continuation of abdominal aorta that arises posteriorly before its bifurcation. The artery runs along midline to the coccyx while supplying the posterior rectum, glomus coccygeum (coccygeal gland), and anastomosing with the lateral sacral arteries and supply meninges and sacrum along the way.
Lateral sacral arteries – a pair of bilateral vessels that runs along the medial border of the sacral foramina. They arise from the posterior division of internal iliac artery and give rise to superior and inferior branches. Like the median artery, they also supply the meninges, sacrum and surrounding muscles.
