Tailbone Pain: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut
Coccyx (Tailbone) Images, Xrays, MRI, Photos, etc.
Tailbone pain can be better understood with the right images to demonstrate important points about normal and abnormal appearance of the tailbone. This page is growing. It will include a collection of educational drawings, photos, and other images related to the tailbone (coccyx) and other topics related to tailbone pain (coccyx pain, coccydynia).
The plan is to include a whole series of images showing topics such as:
Tailbone normal appearance (normal coccyx anatomy: coccygeal bones)
More to come!! Please check back soon for new images.
Tailbone (coccyx) circled. This is a view of the pelvis from behind. Note that we "sit" on the tailbone.
The image at the left shows the tailbone (coccyx) circled.
This is a view of the pelvis, looking at it from behind.
You can see out the tailbone makes contact with the surface that you are sitting on. This can often be very painful for patients with tailbone pain.
Photo and Image created by Dr. Foye.
Tailbone (coccyx), viewing the pelvis from the side.
This is a view of the tailbone (coccyx) when you are looking at the pelvis from the side.
You can see that some of the body weight can cause pressure on the tailbone while you are seated. This can be very painful for a person with coccydynia (tailbone pain, coccyx pain).
Photo and image created by Dr. Foye.
Many important muscles attach to the tailbone (coccyx)
Many important muscles attach to the tailbone (coccyx).
This needs to be kept in mind if surgical removal of the coccyx (coccygectomy) is ever being considered. These muscles attaching to the tailbone include the following:
Gluteus Maximus muscle: This is the largest of the gluteal (buttock) muscles. Very important for standing and walking. In fact, every time you stand up and every time you walk or otherwise contract your Gluteus Maximus muscle, some of the muscle fibers are pulling on the coccyx from the right or left buttock.
Levator Ani muscle: This muscle is important for holding in place the anus (where stool, bowel movements exit the body).
Sphincter Ani Externis muscle: This is the muscle responsible for the control of the stool (bowel movements). If the function of the anal sphincter muscles are lost, the patient loses control of their bowel movements (the patient develops bowel incontinence).
Coccygeus muscle: Together with the Levator Ani muscle, the Coccygeus forms the pelvic diaphragm. These muscles act like a sling or hammock, holding and carrying the organs that are located within the pelvis. If this support function is lost, the patient may develop a "herniation" or "prolapse" (where are the rectum/bowel and other organs from within the pelvis start to sag or drop our way out from the pelvis and down towards the floor).
Image source: "Anatomy of the Human
Body" 1918, by Henry Gray.
Descriptive text by Dr. Foye.
The images immediately below are from "Anatomy of the Human
Body" 1918, by Henry Gray. Some slight modifications have been made, to emphasize the tailbone (coccyx).
The Tailbone (coccyx) is made up of 3-5 small bones at the lowest end of the spine.
This drawing shows the coccyx from the side.
Tailbone (Coccyx) shown within a female pelvis
Image source: "Anatomy of the Human
Body" 1918, by Henry Gray.
Tailbone (Coccyx) within a female pelvis
Image source: "Anatomy of the Human
Body" 1918, by Henry Gray.
This drawing shows how the inside of the pelvis would look. You are looking inside at the right half of the pelvis, after the left half of the pelvis has been removed.
Image source: "Anatomy of the Human
Body" 1918, by Henry Gray. (Coccyx label added)
The Tailbone (coccyx) is made up of 3-5 small bones at the lowest end of the spine.
More Images will be added... ... Check back soon!
MRI of the coccyx, showing a sharp angle forward into the pelvis.
Patrick Foye, M.D., Director of Coccyx Pain Service PM&R at UMDNJ: New Jersey Medical School 90 Bergen St, DOC Suite 3100, Newark, New Jersey, USA, 07103
Disclaimer: This web site is for general informational purposes only. The information should not be considered as medical advice. The information is not a substitute for appropriate in-person care by a healthcare provider with expertise in evaluating and treating tailbone pain.
