Iliac Crest

Description

Bones of the pelvic girdle

Bony landmarks of the ilium

Important anatomical structures of the iliac crest. Iliac crest is located on the upper edge of ilium, which is an arcuate irregular bone structure. The important anatomical structures around the iliac crest can be divided as: (a) surface bony markers and muscle origins and (b) nerve and artery origins.

Iliac crest techniques for bone marrow biopsy and MSC aspiration

Name

• Iliac Crest
• Crista iliaca

General

• Superior margin of the ilium
• The curved ridge can be easily palpated clinically
• Forms demarcation between abdominal and pelvic cavities
• The iliac crest is the superior border of the wing of the Ilium
• It represents the superlateral margin of the greater pelvis
• The crest is convex superiorly but is sinuously curved
• It is concave inward in front, concave outward behind
• It is the largest bone of the pelvis and is easily palpated on either side of the body
• It is an importantanatomicalk landmark for clinicians

Anatomy

• Location
  • Superior border of the ilium
  • Extends from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS).
• Structure
  • Outer lip: Site for attachment of abdominal and back muscles.
  • Inner lip: Forms part of the pelvic brim and supports internal organs.
• Landmarks
• Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS)
  • Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS)
  • Relation to other bones: Connects to the sacrum posteriorly at the sacroiliac joint

Muscle Attachments

• Abdominal muscles
  • External Oblique
  • Internal Oblique
  • Transversus Abdominis
• Back muscles
  • Latissimus Dorsi
  • Erector Spinae
  • Quadratus Lumborum
  • Spinalis
  • Iliacus
• Gluteal muscles
  • Gluteus Medius
  • Gluteus Minimus

Fascial Attachments

• Tensor Fasciae Latae
• Fascia Lata
• Iliac Fascia
• Transverse Fascia

Supracristal Plane

• Transverse line drawn between the uppermost left/right iliac crests
• Typically this anatomic line passes through the L4 vertebra

Anatomic Landmarks

• Anterior Superior Iliac Spine: marks the end of the anterior aspect
• Posterior Superior Iliac Spine: marks the posterior aspect of the iliac crest

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Clinical Significance

Physical Exam Hip

• Important anatomic landmarks
  • Iliac crest
  • ASIS
  • PSIS

Pathology

• Pelvic Fracture

Procedures

• Bone Marrow Biopsy
• Landmark for lumbar puncture

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See Also

• Hip Anatomy
• Hip Pain
• Physical Exam Hip

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