What is the Function of the Tailbone?

KOMPAS.com – Tailbone is the most distal part of the spine in tailless primates, including humans.

During the first 20 years of human life, tailbone consists of separate coccyx, which then fuse together to make a single sphenoid bone.

There is debate among spine specialists about whether the coccyx is a relevant and useful part of human anatomy.

However, the tailbone can be a source of pain in many people.

Also read: Astronaut Bone Density Decreases After Space Travel, Here’s Why

Usually, the coccyx is damaged by trauma from a fall and can be the site of idiopathic pain, which is pain of unknown origin.

Tailbone function

Quoted from Verywell Health, if humans had a tail, the coccyx might have a much more maximal function.

Since humans do not have a tail, there are some who say that the tailbone really has no function at all.

Several pelvic floor muscles are attached to the coccyx, but each muscle has several redundant attachment points.

Most of these superfluous points of attachment are much stronger and more stable than the coccygeal vertebrae.

Also read: Study reveals astronauts are at risk for bone loss while in space

Contraction of these muscles can create enough movement of the coccyx to cause pain in some individuals.

One of the common treatments for traumatic pain or atraumatic pain originating in the coccyx for no apparent reason (idiopathic coccyx pain) is to remove some or all of the coccyx.

In patients who had undergone surgical removal of the coccyx, there did not appear to be any significant side effects, which could suggest that the coccyx does not play an important role.

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