Structure/Morphology
The anococcygeal ligament is the thick, fibromuscular band that attaches the external anal sphincter to the apex of coccyx.
The anococcygeal ligament can be split into two portions:
- A superficial portion, which consists of fibers that extend from the superficial part of the external anal sphincter muscle;
- A deep portion, which consists of fibers that extend from the periosteum of the coccyx (Jin et al., 2015).
Anatomical Relations
The anococcygeal ligament is found along the midline and is located:
- anteroinferior to the coccyx;
- poster to the rectum, anal canal, and the external anal sphincter muscle;
- medial to the iliococcygeus and pubococcygeus muscles.
Function
The anococcygeal ligament attaches the external anal sphincter to the coccyx.
This provides structural support to the external anal sphincter and adjacent pelvic and perineal structures.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Fecal incontinence
References
Jin, Z. W., Hata, F., Jin, Y., Murakami, G., Kinugasa, Y. and Abe, S. (2015) 'The anococcygeal ligaments: Cadaveric study with application to our understanding of incontinence in the elderly', Clin Anat, 28(8), pp. 1039-47.
