The sacral hiatus is a small opening located in the posterior wall of the pelvis. It is situated just above the coccyx, at the base of the sacrum. It is an important anatomical structure that serves as a passageway for various structures in the pelvis, including nerves, blood vessels, and the rectum.
Structure
The sacral hiatus is formed by the posterior sacral foramina, which are small openings located in the posterior wall of the sacrum. The sacral foramina are formed by the sacral vertebrae, which are bones that make up the base of the spine. The sacrum is a triangular-shaped bone that is located in the center of the pelvis, between the two hip bones.
The sacral hiatus is located just above the coccyx, which is a small, triangular-shaped bone that is located at the base of the spine. The coccyx is made up of three to five small bones that are fused together.
Location
It is located in the posterior wall of the pelvis, just above the coccyx. It is situated between the sacral vertebrae and the coccyx, and is located just below the rectum. The sacral hiatus is easily identifiable during a physical examination, as it is a small opening that can be felt through the skin.
Function
The sacral hiatus serves as a passageway for various structures in the pelvis, including nerves, blood vessels, and the rectum. The nerves that pass through the sacral hiatus include the sacral nerves, which are responsible for controlling the muscles of the pelvis, lower back, and legs. The blood vessels that pass through the sacral hiatus include the inferior rectal arteries and veins, which supply blood to the rectum and anus. The rectum, which is the final segment of the large intestine, also passes through the sacral hiatus as it exits the body.
Clinical Significance
The sacral hiatus is an important anatomical structure that is involved in various clinical conditions. One such condition is sacral nerve damage, which can occur due to injury or surgery to the pelvis or lower back. Sacral nerve damage can cause a range of symptoms, including weakness in the legs, difficulty controlling the bladder and bowel movements, and pain in the lower back and legs.
Another condition that can affect the sacral hiatus is a rectocele, which is a condition in which the rectum bulges into the vaginal wall. This can cause difficulty with bowel movements and discomfort during intercourse. A rectocele can be treated with medications or surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.
