How many bones in tailbone

The shape and curvature of the coccyx can vary between individuals and is noticeably different between sexes.

The female coccyx is more narrow, less triangular, and more likely to be straight or curved outwardly instead of inwardly.

The further along you go on the coccyx, the more common it is for the segments to be fused together. If humans had tails, the coccyx would have a much more satisfying job. Unfortunately for it, humans don't, and there are some who say that the coccyx really doesn't have any function at all. Several pelvic floor muscles are attached to the coccyx, but every muscle has multiple redundant attachment points.

Most of those redundant attachment points are considerably stronger and more stable than the coccygeal vertebrae. Contraction of those muscles can create enough movement of the coccyx to cause pain in some individuals. One common treatment for traumatic pain or atraumatic pain that originates in the coccyx for no discernable reason idiopathic coccyx pain is for healthcare providers to remove some or all of the coccyx.

In patients who've had the coccyx surgically removed, there doesn't appear to be any common side effects, which could suggest that the coccyx truly doesn't have a function. The most common condition associated with the coccyx is pain, which is called coccydynia or coccygodynia. Trauma is the most common cause. The location of the coccyx makes it vulnerable to trauma if a person falls to a sitting position.

It can become broken or bruised. In cases of coccydynia, contraction of the pelvic floor muscles can be very painful in the area of the coccyx that is damaged or inflamed. The movement of muscles can lead to movement of the coccyx itself, causing pain.

Because of the number of pelvic floor muscles attached to the coccyx, certain bodily functions, including sex or defecation, can lead to pelvic pain after trauma to the coccyx. Idiopathic pain of the coccyx is pain caused for no discernible reason.

It is more common in females than in males. This is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that it can only be diagnosed after all other possible causes have been ruled out. Not every coccyx gets completely fused. In some people, the coccyx remains mobile and can continue to move as the person sits and moves. There is some evidence that a rigid coccyx is more likely to cause a certain type of pain due to the fact that it is constantly irritating surrounding soft tissues as the person changes positions.

Sacrococcygeal teratomas are the most common type of neonatal tumor and develop on the sacrum or coccyx. Teratomas generally appear when the patient is very young. Treatment options depend on which condition is causing pain in the coccyx. In the case of trauma, the most common treatment is a conservative mix of therapies. It is probably a good idea to give conservative treatment a long leash. If a conservative approach is not working, your healthcare provider might suggest surgical removal of the coccyx, known as coccygectomy.

There is not a standard timeline for how long you should wait to consider surgery. Some healthcare providers will consider it in as little as two months if nothing seems to be working. Other healthcare providers might want to continue to try other options for as long as a year.

Even though it is more aggressive than nonsurgical treatment options, complete or partial coccygectomy is considered to be very safe and relatively effective. Patients that have the procedure have good outcomes. The most common predictor of a poor outcome or failure to relieve pain in all coccydynia patients is whether or not the surgical removal was complete or partial.

Evidence suggests that complete coccygectomies lead to better outcomes than partial removal of the coccyx. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. The coccyx connects with the sacrum through the sacrococcygeal joint, and there is normally limited movement between the coccyx and the sacrum.

The coccyx usually moves slightly forward or backward as the pelvis, hips, and legs move. When a person sits or stands, the bones that make up the pelvis including the coccyx rotate outward and inward slightly to better support and balance the body. See Sacroiliac Joint Anatomy. Although the tailbone is considered vestigial or no longer necessary in the human body, it does have some function in the pelvis.

For instance, the coccyx is one part of a three-part support for a person in the seated position. Weight is distributed between the bottom portions of the two hip bones or ischium and the tailbone, providing balance and stability when a person is seated.

The tailbone is the connecting point for many pelvic floor muscles. These muscles help support the anus and aid in defecation, support the vagina in females, and assist in walking, running, and moving the legs. Coccydynia is generally much more common in women; some sources from the medical literature find that women are five times more likely to develop coccydynia than men.

The bottom of the spine is called the sacrum. It is made up of several vertebral bodies usually fused together as one. The remaining small bones or ossicles below the sacrum are also fused together and called the tailbone or coccyx. The spine above the sacrum consists of:.

The spinal column combines strong bones, unique joints, flexible ligaments and tendons, large muscles and highly sensitive nerves. While many of us take the benefits of a healthy spine for granted, spinal pain is a sharp reminder of how much we depend on our back in daily life.

Some causes of spinal pain include:. The spinal column is made up of many parts, all designed to help the back move flexibly, support body weight and protect the spinal cord and nerves. These parts include the:. Skip to content. Anatomy of the Spine Not what you're looking for? Start New Search.