ischial tuberosity
Last reviewed 01/2018
Having located the position of the greater trochanter, the ischial tuberosity is the next palpable landmark. Its surface marking is in the middle of the buttock at the level of the gluteal fold.
With the fingers of the examining hand on the greater trochanter, the thumb is swung in an arc caudally and laterally from the posterior superior iliac spine. Deep palpation may be required. To improve the likelihood of palpating the tuberosity, the patient is asked to flex the hip as much as possible. This movement is meant to displace gluteus maximus superiorly away from the bony prominence.