The Posterior Superior Iliac Spine Of The Hip Bone In Posterior View

Description

Rotating through a posterior view of the pelvis, the animation centers on the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) at the medial end of the posterior iliac crest, just superior to the posterior inferior iliac spine and lateral to the sacroiliac joint. The iliac crest is tracked from lateral to medial until the PSIS forms its palpable posterior termination, with the adjacent dorsal surface of the ilium and the upper sacrum providing orientation. Subtle changes in angle clarify how the PSIS sits posterior to the iliac fossa and aligns in the transverse plane with the level of S2. A hard landmark. Palpation of the PSIS underlies routine surface anatomy, from marking the “dimples of Venus” to approximating the S2 level during back and pelvic examination, and the animation makes that mapping easier to teach than a single static plate. Because the PSIS borders the posterior sacroiliac region, it is also a common reference point when discussing sacroiliac joint pain patterns, posterior pelvic ring injury assessment, and the placement of posterior iliac crest bone marrow aspiration or biopsy sites relative to the sacrum and iliac crest. Seeing the landmark come into profile as the pelvis rotates helps learners avoid confusing the PSIS with the posterior iliac crest or the posterior inferior iliac spine. Use this sequence in gross anatomy lab orientation, physical examination teaching (pelvic landmark palpation), radiology correlation for pelvic CT or MRI anatomy, or in orthopaedics and pain medicine content addressing the sacroiliac region and posterior pelvic ring landmarks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.