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AnatomyPelvis and perineumPelvic girdle and floorIschial spine
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AnatomyPelvis and perineumPelvic girdle and floorIschial spine

Ischial spine

Author: Christina Loukopoulou, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Hip bone [11:54]
Anatomy and function of the hip bone.
Ischial spine
Spina ischiadica
1/5
Synonyms: none

The ischial spine is a sharp bony prominence found on the ramus of the ischium. It sits between the greater and lesser sciatic notches, at the level of the lower border of the acetabulum.

The ischial spine provides an attachment point for the sacrospinous ligament and some fibers of the superior gemellus muscle which originate from the upper margin of the lesser sciatic notch.

In addition, the posterior fibers of the levator ani, specifically the posterolateral fibers of the iliococcygeus muscle, as well as the apex of the coccygeus muscle both arise from the pelvic surface of the ischial spine.

It is worth noting that the internal pudendal vessels and pudendal nerve wind around the dorsal aspect of the ischial spine before entering the perineum.

Terminology English: Ischial spine
Latin: Spina ischiadica
Definition Sharp bony projection found on the posterior aspect of the ischium, between the greater and lesser sciatic notches.
Function Attachment point for sacrospinous ligament, iliococcygeus muscle, coccygeus muscle, superior gemellus muscle

Learn more about the bony landmarks of the hip bone in the following study unit:

Hip bone Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Kalberer, F., Sierra, R. J., Madan, S. S., Ganz, R. and Leunig, M. (2008). Ischial spine projection into the pelvis : a new sign for acetabular retroversion. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 466(3):677-83.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F. and Agur, A. (2017). Clinically oriented anatomy (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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