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Regions of the back and buttocks: want to learn more about it?

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Regions of the back and buttocks

Learning Outcomes

In this study unit, you will learn how to:

Name the regions of the back and buttocks.
Describe the location and boundaries of each region.
List the main contents of each region.

Watch videos

The back and the buttocks comprise the posterior aspect of the trunk. Like the rest of the body, the back and the buttocks are divided into several regions, which help clinicians localize, describe and communicate various diseases and injuries clearly and accurately. These regions are mainly named after the bones they are related to or the muscles they overlie, like the suprascapular or gluteal regions. Learn more about the location and boundaries of the regions of the back and buttocks by watching this video!

Take a quiz

When you feel ready, take this quiz to test your knowledge about the regions of the back and buttocks, and find out if you have any weak spots you need to revise.

If you like to choose your own topics to study, why not try our fully customizable quiz!

Browse atlas

The back is divided into 9 regions. The upper lateral part of the back contains the deltoid region, which overlies the deltoid muscle. Going medially, we find the regions named after their relations to the scapula; the suprascapular, scapular, interscapular and infrascapular regions. Between the scapular and infrascapular region, we have an important area for pulmonary examination known as the triangle of auscultation. In the midline of the back is the vertebral region, covering the vertebral column. Moving inferiorly, we have the lateral region of thorax, and the lumbar and sacral regions. The buttocks contain 4 regions that correspond to their underlying structures; the gluteal, anal, coccygeal and urogenital regions.

Summary

Key points about the regions of the back and buttocks
Regions of the back	Deltoid region, suprascapular region, scapular region, interscapular region, infrascapular region, triangle of auscultation, vertebral region, lumbar region, sacral region
Regions of the buttock	Gluteal region, anal region, coccygeal region, urogenital region
Main contents	Deltoid region: deltoid muscle Suprascapular region: trapezius muscle Scapular region: rotator cuff muscles Interscapular region: rhomboid major and minor muscles Infrascapular region: latissimus dorsi muscle Vertebral region: vertebral column Lumbar region: psoas major, quadratus lumborum, latissimus dorsi, intrinsic muscles of the back Sacral region: sacrum Gluteal region: gluteal muscles Anal region: anus and perianal skin Coccygeal region: coccygeal bone Urogenital region: external genitalia, urogenital diaphragm

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Continue your learning

There are many other regions of the human body for you to learn aside from the regions of the back and buttocks. Continue your regional anatomy learning with the study units below.