Ischial spine

Bone: Ischial spine
Capsule of hip-joint (distended). Posterior aspect. (Spine of ischium labeled at upper left.)
Left hip-joint, opened by removing the floor of the acetabulum from within the pelvis. (Spine of ischium labeled at center left.)
Latin	Spina ischiadica, spina ischialis
Gray's	subject #57 235

From the posterior border of the body of the Ischium there extends backward a thin and pointed triangular eminence, the ischial spine, more or less elongated in different subjects.

Surfaces

external surface	gives attachment to the Gemellus superior
internal surface	gives attachment to the Coccygeus, Levator ani, and the pelvic fascia
pointed extremity	the sacrospinous ligament is attached.

Clinical Significance

It can serve as a landmark in pudendal anesthesia.

Additional images

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  Right hip bone, external surface, showing the greater and lesser sciatic notches, separated by the ischial spine.

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  Articulations of pelvis. Anterior view.

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  PELVIS. ANTERIOR VIEW.

References

This article incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy.

External links

• SUNY Labs 41:os-0105 - "The Female Perineum: Osteology"
• SUNY Labs 44:st-0724 - "The Male Pelvis"
• Ischial+spine at eMedicine Dictionary