Most Things Biology

Time To Read

1–2 minutes

Date Last Modified

February 6, 2026

The coccyxTailbone; small, fused vertebrae at the end of the sacrum. or tailbone is a delicate little structure. It is easily broken in sports such as snowboarding and skateboarding. In these sports, falling directly on your butt is common.

Sacrum and Coccyx Study Sheet

Illustration comparing the anterior sacrum and coccyx and posterior pelvic girdle. The coccyx (tailbone) is highlighted in each, consisting of a small, segmented bone at the base of the spine. The anterior view shows the flat front of the sacrum, while the posterior view shows the back of the pelvis — Anterior sacrum/coccyx and posterior pelvic girdle diagrams, highlighting the coccyx.

Coccyx bone

A detailed view of the human coccyx bone, set against a white background. The bone is segmented and tapers from a broadened top part to a pointed bottom, in a gray-cream color. — Coccyx bone anatomy.

The coccyx, or tailbone is attached to the sacrumTriangular bone formed by fusion of five vertebrae; connects spine to pelvis. at it most inferiorBelow or toward the lower part of the body. point. Similar to the sacrum, the coccyx consists of fused vertebrae (four).

My husband once broke his coccyx skateboarding. He basically fell right on his butt, which is how most people break their coccyx. He was on a cross-country trip and you can tell where and when he broke his butt. In the pictures before the injury, he is sort of smiling. That’s the best you’ll get with him for a picture. After the injury he is visibly unhappy in all the pictures.