Ischial spine

The ischial spine is part of the posterior border of the body of the ischium bone of the pelvis. It is a thin and pointed triangular eminence, more or less elongated in different subjects.

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.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	spina ischiadica spina ischiaca spina ischialis
TA98	A02.5.01.205
TA2	1343
FMA	17028
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Part	Attachment
external surface	gemellus superior muscle[1]
internal surface	coccygeus muscle,[2] levator ani muscle, pelvic fascia
pointed extremity	sacrospinous ligament

The pudendal nerve travels close to the ischial spine.^[3]

Clinical significance

The ischial spine can serve as a landmark in pudendal anesthesia, as the pudendal nerve lies close to the ischial spine.^[3][4]

Additional images

• 
  Right hip bone, external surface, showing the greater and lesser sciatic notches, separated by the ischial spine
• 
  Articulations of pelvis. Anterior view.
• 
  Pelvis. Anterior view.
• 
  Animation showing the ischial spine (highlighted in red)