Ligaments of the Gluteal Region-Sacrotuberous Ligament-Sacrospinous Ligament-Greater Sciatic Foramen-Foramina of the Gluteal Region-Lesser Sciatic Foramen-Muscles of the Gluteal Region-

Ligaments of the Gluteal Region

The two important ligaments in the gluteal region are the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. The function of these ligaments is to stabilize the sacrum and prevent its rotation at the sacroiliac joint by the weight of the vertebral column.

Sacrotuberous Ligament

The sacrotuberous ligament connects the back of the sacrum to the ischial tuberosity.

Sacrospinous Ligament

The sacrospinous ligament connects the back of the sacrum to the spine of the ischium.

Foramina of the Gluteal Region

The two important foramina in the gluteal region are the greater sciatic foramen and the lesser sciatic foramen.

Greater Sciatic Foramen

The greater sciatic foramen is formed by the greater sciatic notch of the hip bone and the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. It provides an exit from the pelvis into the gluteal region.

The following structures exit the foramen:

■■ Piriformis

■■ Sciatic nerve

■■ Posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh

■■ Superior and inferior gluteal nerves

■■ Nerves to the obturator internus and quadratus femoris

■■ Pudendal nerve

■■ Superior and inferior gluteal arteries and veins

■■ Internal pudendal artery and vein

Lesser Sciatic Foramen

The lesser sciatic foramen is formed by the lesser sciatic notch of the hip bone and the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments. It provides an entrance into the perineum from the gluteal region. Its presence enables nerves and blood vessels that have left the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above the pelvic floor to enter the perineum below the pelvic floor.

The following structures pass through the foramen

■■ Tendon of obturator internus muscle

■■ Nerve to obturator internus

■■ Pudendal nerve

■■ Internal pudendal artery and vein

Muscles of the Gluteal Region

The muscles of the gluteal region include the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, the gluteus minimus, the tensor fasciae latae, the piriformis, the obturator internus, the superior and inferior gemelli, and the quadratus femoris.

Note the following:

■■ The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the body. It lies superficial in the gluteal region and is largely responsible for the prominence of the buttock.

■■ The tensor fasciae latae runs downward and backward to its insertion in the iliotibial tract and thus assists the gluteus maximus muscle in maintaining the knee in the extended position.