In the human body, everything is interconnected. Each area consists of the desired set of organs. Unfortunately, they do not always work perfectly. And not only because of congenital anomalies. Ailments are manifested throughout life and depend on various factors: injuries, ecology and elementary neglect of one’s health. Sometimes just one careless step can significantly change the whole subsequent life of a person.
Take, for example, the musculoskeletal system. Any painful sensation in the area of the spine, pelvis or the area where the sacrum is located should be alarming. The well-being of the “sacred bone” cannot be neglected.
Interpretation of the word "sacrum"
The sacrum is a large bone of a triangular shape, located under the lower vertebra of the lower back, which is an integral element of the pelvic ring from the back wall.
This bone, like a wedge connecting both pelvic bones, is connected to the coccyx in the lower part and to the lumbar vertebra at the top. In the structure of the sacrum note:
- two surfaces: pelvic (front) and dorsal (back);
- two lateral parts: lateral;
- base - a wide area of the bone, oriented upwards;
- the apex is a narrow area of the bone, oriented downward.
How is the sacrum
The pelvic surface of the sacrum has a concave shape. Moreover, the greatest concavity can be observed along the bone, rather than across. In the midline, the bone is intersected by four horizontally spaced outlines of vertebral fusion lines. Once individual vertebrae in the amount of five pieces in the process of growing up a person turned into a single monolithic bone - the sacrum. His anatomy is complex. Almost round holes are located on the sides of the fusion boundaries. There are four on each side. Their size changes in the direction of decrease in the direction from top to bottom. Through them pass the lateral arteries of the sacrum and certain branches of the nerves. Lateral lateral parts are five segments of the embryonic and early stages of life merged into a single structure.
Analyzing the question of where the sacrum is located in a person, it is necessary to say about the posterior dorsal surface of this bone. It is rough, convex and narrow compared to the front. There are five bony scallops running parallel from top to bottom, formed by the fusion of the vertebral processes of the sacrum, and a middle scallop with four tubercles. The tubercles are residual processes, sometimes they merge into a monolithic nonsmooth scallop.
On the sides of the sacral bone are lateral surfaces. They have a wide base - the junction with the lower back, and a narrowed vertex that connects to the coccyx.
The sacral region is determined not only by the shape of the bone, but also by its spatial position. The front edge of the base directed up and forward, connecting with the adjacent lumbar vertebra, forms a cape - an impressive ledge into the pelvic cavity.
The top of the sacrum is turned downward and connected to the coccyx by means of an articular surface in the shape of an ellipse.
The sacral canal runs along the entire bone. Its shape is curved, the triangular top is widened, the bottom is narrowed, the back wall is empty. The canal protects the branches of the sacral nerves coming from the sacral openings of the anterior and posterior surfaces.
The purpose of the sacrum and its gender differences
The functional purpose of this section of the spine is as follows:
- the sacral bone allows you to hold the human body in an upright position;
- the sacrum is responsible for resistance to stress.
The anatomy of the sacrum of representatives of different sexes is considered depending on the properties of its surfaces. The sacrum of women and men has the following anatomical differences:
- in men, the sacral bone is narrower than in females;
- in women, the sacral part of the spine is curved less, and the sacrum is shorter than in men.
Sacral vertebrae
So, where the sacrum is located in a person is known. It is also known that in an adult, five vertebrae of the sacrum fuse into a single bone.
Each of these vertebrae undergoes a developmental stage called embryonic. It affects the structure of the bones of not only the coccyx, but also the sacrum.
The vertebra is made up of different types of tissues:
- cartilaginous;
- webbed;
- bone.
At a six to eight-week developmental stage, the embryo arises a spinal arc and an area of ossification in the body membrane. In the first year of human life, the coccygeal vertebrae are the only ossification site. The splicing period runs from the age of thirteen to the age of thirty. During this time, a solid bone is formed in the coccyx.
Joints in the sacral part of the spine
In places of the musculoskeletal system involved in flexion and rotational movements, there are joints. The joints of the sacrum also participate in the work of the human body:
- Lumbosacral - cartilaginous symphosis, limited mobility. It is considered, like all intervertebral joints, that additionally has an iliac-lumbar ligament and a fibrous intervertebral disc. Moves with all lumbar vertebrae.
- Sacroiliac, synovial, with irregularities on the surfaces. Joint surfaces: at the ilium - fibrous cartilage, at the sacrum - hyaline. Strong ligaments, small movements are possible.
- Sacrococcygeal - cartilaginous symphosis, mobility is limited. Strengthened by the sacrococcygeal ligaments, intervertebral fibrous disc. The movement is insignificant, with age it can completely disappear.
Sacred bone nerves
Where the sacrum is located, important spinal endings are located. The composition of five pairs of nerves branching from the sacral region includes motor and sensory fibers, which are responsible for the work of muscles, skin, and sensitivity of bones and joints in the buttocks and other organs of the lower body.
Sacral nerve ailments
The affected nerves of the sacrum can turn into a real disaster for a person. Here are some of the health effects of these disorders:
- Sacral plexus disease is a violation in its final branch with the addition of collateral manifestations that provide muscles of the perineum and pelvis.
- Misfortune with the sciatic nerve is characterized by the appearance of the Laseg symptom. In this case, severe pain occurs when pulling a nerve - raising a straight leg. When the knee is bent, the pain disappears.
- Damage to the lower region of the gluteal nerve causes paralysis of the thigh. Extension is difficult when running, jumping, moving on incline terrain and climbing stairs. Such paralysis can trigger hip dislocation while walking.
- The disease of the sensory nerve, which is responsible for the skin of the back of the thigh, is characterized by a lack of sensitivity in the buttocks, thigh in the back and upper leg. Irritation of a nerve provokes neuralgia in areas and points dependent on it.
- A disease of the tibial nerve that occurs against the background of an injury causes the impossibility of flexion of the fingers and foot, turning the sole inward. The inability to rise on the fingers causes the gait of the heel foot. Muscles atrophy: small at the foot and back at the lower leg. Achilles reflex falls out completely. Tibial neuritis is characterized by intense pain.
- Neuritis of the peroneal nerve causes the foot to hang down with slightly bent toes inward. Gait due to the need for high raising of the foot is characterized as a “cockspin” or “horse's foot”. The lower leg muscles atrophy.
Causes of pain in the sacrum
For the proper treatment of sacral pain, it is necessary to identify the causes of their occurrence. Can cause pain:
- diseases of the reproductive system;
- tumor process;
- spinal injuries;
- infectious lesions;
- abnormal abnormalities in the structure of the sacrum, malformations in the process of development of the vertebrae.
Pain in the affected area is intense and unbearable. Most often, ailments in the sacral section occur due to frequent movements of weights, sharp rise, osteochondrosis and serious injuries with displacements of bone elements. Unpleasant symptoms in the place where the sacrum is located can occur from the simultaneous occurrence of several diseases. Only specialists can make the correct diagnosis.
X-ray examination of the spine
X-rays are a popular method of detecting pathology in medicine. It shows degenerative changes in the sacro-vertebral region, helps to detect neoplasms, notice cartilage and joint diseases. The method is based on the ability to transmit rays. All tissues respond differently to x-rays. Contrast images obtained during the study help specialists make a diagnosis. X-ray of the sacrum is a research method available to many institutions. Indications for examination are: pain and numbness in the limbs and buttocks, injuries, confirmation of pathologies with hernia, osteoporosis, pinching of nerves, tumor process, violation of vertebral mobility, malfunctioning of the pelvic organs.
Due to the large load of x-rays on the human body, radiation examination is limited:
- children under the age of 14;
- persons with mental disorders;
- pregnant and lactating women.
The examination is carried out after special preparation, the pictures are taken in several projections: standing, lying and with a bend.
Other methods for examining the sacral region include computed and magnetic resonance imaging, multislice CT, ultrasound, and biopsy.
Patients should be well aware that they need to protect the area of the spine where the sacrum is located. Timely medical care, wellness gymnastics and the right lifestyle will help all people to remain in the ranks for many years!