Morphological and morphometric evaluation of Coccyx according to age and gender

Objective: This study was conducted to contribute to the literature by evaluating coccyx morphology and morphometry in detail and examining them according to age and gender. Material and Methods: In the study, the coccyx of 282 healthy individuals (141 males, 141 females) between the ages of 18-64 were retrospectively examined using computerized tomography images. In the evaluation of coccyx morphology, coccyx type, presence of coccygeal spicule, number of coccygeal vertebrae, sacrococcygeal joint fusion and intercoccygeal joint fusion were examined. In the evaluation of coccyx morphometry, coccygeal straight length, sacrococcygeal angle, intercoccygeal angle, anterior sacrococcygeal length, posterior sacrococcygeal length and coccyx anterior-posterior diameter thickness were examined. The data were analyzed statistically according to gender and age groups. P<0,05 was considered significant. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between genders in type 1 and type 3 coccyx, coccygeal straight length, sacrococcygeal angle, anterior sacrococcygeal length, posterior sacrococcygeal length and coccyx anterior-posterior diameter thickness (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between age groups in sacrococcygeal joint fusion, intercoccygeal joint fusion and coccyx anterior-posterior diameter thickness (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between genders and age groups in other parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: We think that this study will benefit clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of coccyx pathologies by presenting the normal anatomy of the coccyx. Keywords: Anatomy, Coccyx, Morphology, Radiology.