Sacrum
The sacrum is a shield-shaped bony structure that is located at the base of the lumbar vertebrae and is connected to the pelvis. The sacrum forms the rear wall of the pelvis and strengthens and stabilizes the pelvis. Joined to the very end of the sacrum are two to four tiny, partially fused vertebrae, known as the coccyx or "tail bone." The coccyx provides slight support for the pelvic organs but is actually of little use.
Review Date:
12/2/2019
Reviewed By:
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997-
All rights reserved.