Caudal Epidural Injection In An Anatomical View, Lateral View

Description

Sacrum and coccyx anchor the lateral anatomical field, with the sacral canal opening inferiorly at the sacral hiatus just proximal to the coccyx. A long needle tracks in a cranial direction, piercing the sacrococcygeal ligament and passing into the epidural space within the distal sacral canal. The bony contour of the dorsal sacrum and the posterior margin of the sacral canal define the depth, while the needle tip sits deep to the ligament and superficial to the dural sac, which usually terminates around S2. Orientation is lateral, so anterior soft tissues and pelvic viscera fall out of focus while posterior midline landmarks remain readable. Caudal epidural injection is a common route for delivering local anesthetic or corticosteroid for lumbosacral radicular pain, spinal stenosis symptoms, and postlaminectomy pain when interlaminar access is limited. Needle angle and depth are the teaching point, because an overly shallow trajectory skives off the dorsal sacrum while an overly deep pass risks entering venous plexus within the sacral canal or, more rarely in patients with low-lying dural sacs, unintended intrathecal placement. Landmarks matter. The illustration’s fixed lateral perspective makes the relationship between the sacrococcygeal ligament, sacral hiatus, and epidural space easy to explain when discussing palpation technique and why the loss-of-resistance feel can be subtle in the caudal approach. Use this illustration in pain medicine and anesthesiology slide decks, procedural manuals, and patient-facing consent materials where a single, anatomically grounded view helps clarify where the needle is intended to sit relative to the sacral canal. It also fits musculoskeletal and neuroanatomy teaching in physiotherapy or medical curricula when reviewing epidural spaces and sacral surface anatomy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.