162 Joints of the Spine. 



<)s sacrum --->- 



Apex ossis sacri 

 Lig. sacrococcygeuin laterale 



Processus transversus vertebrae B^- Li S" sacrococcygeum posterius 



coccygeae I fjf superficiale 



Lig. sacrococoygeum posterius 

 profundum 



Os coccygris - ->- 



214. Ligaments between the sacrum and the 



COCCyX, from behind. 



The connection between the sacrum and the coccyx (symphysis sacrococcygea) is 

 mediated by a thin fibrous disc; similar fibrous discs are usually present also between the 

 first, second and third coccygeal vertebrae; the connection, however, can also be bony here as 

 is the rule between the third, fourth and fifth coccygeal vertebrae. 



A number of ligaments also are present which are to be considered as modifications of 

 those of the other vertebrae. 



The ligamentum sacrococcygeum anterius (= lig. longitudinal*' anterius) (see Fig. 243 

 and 670) consists of two thin fibrous bands which extend on the anterior surface from the 

 tip of the sacrum to the coccygeal vertebrae, crossing over one another in part; below it is 

 attached to the m. levator ani (see page 608). 



The ligamentum sacrococcygeum laterale (= lig. intertransversarium) runs on each 

 side from the lower end of the crista sacralis lateralis to the processus transversus of the first 

 coccygeal vertebra, bounds externally the notch situated lateral from the apex of the sacrum 

 and so helps to form a fifth foramen sacrale. 



The ligamentum sacrococcygeum posterius profundum (= lig. longitudinale posterius), 

 lies as a thin plate immediately upon the posterior surface of the combined bodies of the sacral 

 and coccygeal vertebrae and is connected in part with the following ligament. 



The ligamentum sacrococcygeum posterius superficiale consists of several fibre -bands 

 which extend on the one hand from the lower end of the crista sacralis media downward to 

 the posterior surface of the coccyx and at the same time close the hiatus sacralis more or less 

 completely; on the other hand, the fibre-bands extend between the cornua sacralia and the 

 cornua coccygea. Narrow spaces between the single bands serve on both sides for the passage 

 of the n. coccygeus. The ligament corresponds partly to the ligamenta flava, partly to the 

 capsulae articulares. 



