Male Buttock, Posterior View

Description

Seen from a posterior perspective, the adult male gluteal region is defined by the paired gluteus maximus muscles forming the bulk of each buttock and meeting medially at the intergluteal cleft over the sacrum and coccyx. Superiorly, the contour approaches the iliac crests and posterior superior iliac spines, while inferiorly the gluteal folds mark the transition to the posterior thigh. Laterally, the gluteal mass blends toward the greater trochanter region, where the deeper gluteus medius contributes to the superolateral hip profile. Surface landmarks dominate this view. Posterior buttock anatomy matters because it is a common portal for injections and a frequent site of nerve injury when landmarks are ignored. Placing an intramuscular injection in the superolateral quadrant targets the gluteus medius region and helps avoid the sciatic nerve, which runs deep and inferior, emerging below the piriformis and coursing toward the posterior thigh. This posterior view also supports teaching of gluteal pain patterns, including piriformis syndrome and referred pain related to sacroiliac joint dysfunction. A clean map of where clinicians should and should not go. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and surface anatomy courses to anchor palpation of the posterior superior iliac spine, sacral hiatus region, and the gluteal fold as a boundary to the thigh. It also fits nursing and clinical skills manuals covering intramuscular injection technique, and patient education materials discussing buttock pain, sciatica, and postoperative hip precautions. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.