Gluteal Region

Question 0

A line joining the most superior portion of the iliac crest passes through what structure?

Answer 0

L4 vertebra

Question 1

A line joining the 2 PSIS passes through which spinous process?

Answer 1

S2 vertebra

Question 2

What is the “safe injection site” for gluteal intramuscular injections? Why is this the preferred site?

Answer 2

Injections can be made safely only into the superolateral part of the buttock to avoid injury to the sciatic and gluteal nerves. This site has a rich vascular network from the superior gluteal vessels that lie between the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.

Question 3

What nerve and blood vessels exit below the piriformis?

Answer 3

The superior gluteal nerve and vessels emerge superior to the piriformis, all other vessels and nerves exit below including inferior gluteal vessels and nerves, sciatic nerve, pudendal nerve, N. To obturator internus, internal pudendal artery

Question 4

What muscle (and subsequent action) is affected with inferior gluteal nerve damage? With superior gluteal nerve damage?

Answer 4

Inferior- gluteus maximus- extension of thigh, thigh stabilization, internal rotation(posterior fibers), abduction (superior fibers)

Superior- gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, tfl- abduction, medial rotation mainly but also lateral rotation, and keeping pelvis level when standing on contralateral leg. Also knee stabilization due to TFL