Coccygeus (Musculus coccygeus)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The coccygeus (or ischiococcygeus) is a triangular pelvic floor muscle situated posterior to the levator ani. It extends from the ischial spine to the lateral margins of the sacrum and coccyx, lying in intimate contact with the sacrospinous ligament. Together with the levator ani and piriformis, it forms the pelvic diaphragm that supports the pelvic viscera.
Origin & insertion
From the ischial spine and sacrospinous ligament to the lateral margin of the coccyx and adjacent lower border of the sacrum.
Action
Pulls the coccyx anteriorly and supports the pelvic floor and pelvic viscera against intra-abdominal pressure.
Innervation
Anterior rami of sacral spinal nerves S4 and S5.
Clinical notes
Spasm or hypertonicity of the coccygeus contributes to coccydynia and levator ani syndrome, presenting as chronic deep pelvic and tailbone pain.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Coccygeus?
The coccygeus (or ischiococcygeus) is a triangular pelvic floor muscle situated posterior to the levator ani. It extends from the ischial spine to the lateral margins of the sacrum and coccyx, lying in intimate contact with the sacrospinous ligament. Together with the levator ani and piriformis, it forms the pelvic diaphragm that supports the pelvic viscera.
Why is the Coccygeus clinically important?
Spasm or hypertonicity of the coccygeus contributes to coccydynia and levator ani syndrome, presenting as chronic deep pelvic and tailbone pain.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details