Coccyx, Posterior View

Description

Inferior to the sacrum, the male coccyx (tailbone) sits in the midline as the terminal segment of the vertebral column, highlighted in blue against the neutral tones of the lumbar spine and fused sacrum. A posterior view emphasizes the dorsal surface of the coccygeal vertebrae, including the small irregular remnants of spinous processes and the paired coccygeal cornua near its base where it meets the sacral apex at the sacrococcygeal joint. Superiorly, the five lumbar vertebrae align with the sacral base, their spinous processes forming a palpable posterior ridge that continues to the sacrum and tapers toward the coccyx. Posterior orientation matters because most clinical palpation and many pain generators localize to the dorsal midline, where the sacrococcygeal junction and coccygeal segments can be tender and unstable after a fall onto the buttocks. Coccydynia often reflects subluxation at the sacrococcygeal or intercoccygeal joints, spicule formation, or degenerative change, and the dorsal landmarks help you correlate symptoms with the level of involvement. The relationship to pelvic floor attachments is implicit, the coccyx provides insertion for the anococcygeal raphe and parts of levator ani and coccygeus, so abnormal mobility can contribute to pain with sitting, defecation, or postpartum strain. Use this plate to anchor teaching of the lumbosacral transition in gross anatomy and to support radiology or pain medicine materials that discuss coccygeal trauma, posterior pelvic floor anatomy, and manual examination landmarks. It also fits operative or procedural education around coccygectomy planning and targeted injections at the sacrococcygeal region. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.