Ischial tuberosity
bones used to sit
The ischial tuberosity (or tuberosity of the ischium, tuber ischiadicum), also known colloquially as the sit bones or sitz bones, or as a pair the sitting bones, is a large posterior bony protuberance on the superior ramus of the ischium. It marks the lateral boundary of the pelvic outlet.
When sitting, the weight is frequently placed upon the ischial tuberosity. The gluteus maximus provides cover in the upright posture, but leaves it free in the seated position. The distance between a cyclist's ischial tuberosities is one of the factors in the choice of a bicycle saddle.
Divisions
The tuberosity is divided into two portions: a lower, rough, somewhat triangular part, and an upper, smooth, quadrilateral portion.
The lower portion is subdivided by a prominent longitudinal ridge, passing from base to apex, into two parts:
The outer gives attachment to the adductor magnus
The inner to the sacrotuberous ligament
The upper portion is subdivided into two areas by an oblique ridge, which runs downward and outward:
From the upper and outer area the semimembranosus arises
From the lower and inner, the long head of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus
Additional images
See also
Ischial bursitis
Sitting disability
Notes
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 235 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
Goossens R, Teeuw R, Snijders C (2005). "Sensitivity for pressure difference on the ischial tuberosity". Ergonomics. 48 (7): 895–902.
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