A&P 4.4.17 - Sacrum and Coccyx

The anterosuperior margin of the _____ bulges forward into the pelvic cavity; this vertebral margin is known as the _____

1st sacral vertebra; sacral promontory

The Coccyx consists of _____ to form a small _____ bone that articulates superiorly with the _____

4 vertebrae fused together; triangular; sacrum

The sacrum consists of

5 fused vertebrae

The sacrum articulates superiorly with the _____ (via the _____) and inferiorly with the _____

L5 vertebrae; superior articular processes; coccyx

Laterally, the 2 wing-like _____ of the sacrum (fused remnants of the _____ of S1-5) articulate with the 2 _____ to form the _____

alae; transverse processes; hip bones; SI joints

The sacral foramina penetrate the sacrum and serve as a passageway for

blood vessels and nerves

Coccyx comes from the greek word meaning

cuckoo

Dorsally, the median sacral surface is roughened by the

median sacral crest (fused spinous processes of the sacral vertebrae)

The sacrum forms the _____ of the pelvis

posterior wall

The vertebral canal continues down the spine into the scrum as the

sacral canal (containing and protecting spinal cord and blood vessels)

Found on each side of the transverse lines

sacral foramina

The _____ is the external opening on the posterior aspect at the sacrum, and is a result of the unfused transverse processes of _____

sacral hiatus; s4/s5

The body's main center of gravity lies approximately 1 cm behind the _____

sacral promontory

Except for the _____, the coccyx really has no purpose

slight support of some pelvic organs

The sacrum _____ & _____ the pelvis

strengthens and stabilizes

The sacral hiatus represents

the end of the sacral canal

The sacrum is _____ in shape

triangular

The transverse lines are 4 ridges of _____ that cross the sacrum's concave anterior surface

vertebral fusions