Albany Medical College Virtual Anatomy Lab

Lab 6 - Module 1 - The Gluteal Region: Page 2 of 8

Gluteal Region

The Gluteal Region is largely formed by the gluteus maximus muscle. The region is bounded superiorly by the iliac crest and inferiorly by the inferior border of the gluteus maximus muscle.
Begin with the right female hemi-pelvis.
Add the Sacrotuberous Ligament.
Add the Sacrospinous Ligament.
The sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments close the greater and lesser sciatic notches, respectively, forming foramen from which structures enter or leave the pelvis and perineum. These two ligaments resist backward rotation of the inferior end of the sacrum and provide an origin for the gluteus maximus muscle.

• Greater Sciatic Foramen – doorway for structures entering or leaving the pelvis (e.g. sciatic nerve).

• Lesser Sciatic Foramen – doorway for structures entering or leaving the perineum (e.g. pudendal nerve).

Can you identify the greater and lesser sciatic notches?