Sacral vertebrae

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Sacral Vertebrae

The Sacral Vertebrae (/ˈseɪkrəl vɜːrˈteɪbriː/; from Latin sacrum, meaning "sacred") are a set of five fused vertebrae which form the posterior part of the pelvis. They are denoted as S1 through S5 and are situated between the lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx (tailbone).

Etymology

The term "sacral" originates from the Latin word sacrum, which was a translation of the ancient Greek term ἱερόν (hieron), meaning "sacred" or "holy". This etymology reflects the historical belief that this specific part of the body was the seat of the soul.

Structure

The sacral vertebrae are fused in adults, typically in a curved, triangular shape, contributing to the overall shape of the pelvis. The fusion of these vertebrae begins during adolescence and is usually completed by adulthood. The anterior part of the sacrum is concave and forms the posterior wall of the pelvic cavity.

Function

The sacral vertebrae have several functions. They help support the weight of the upper body and distribute it evenly across the pelvis. They also protect the sacral plexus, a network of nerve fibers that supply the lower limbs and pelvic organs.

Related Terms

  • Vertebrae: The individual bones that make up the spinal column.
  • Lumbar Vertebrae: The five vertebrae between the rib cage and the pelvis.
  • Coccyx: The tailbone, located below the sacrum.
  • Pelvic Cavity: The space within the pelvis, containing the reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum.
  • Sacral Plexus: A network of nerve fibers that supply the lower limbs and pelvic organs.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski