Side lying or prone.

From the upper end of the intergluteal cleft, insert the needle 2 to 3 centimeters (cm) down and the same distance laterally but above the gluteal fold. The needle can also be inserted approximately 5 cm straight above the ischial tuberosity.

Extend the hip with the knee flexed. Ask the patient to squeeze his/her buttocks together.

It is the largest and heaviest muscle in the body and is quadrilateral in shape. It is the most superficial muscle of the buttock region.

L5, S1, S2-inferior gluteal nerve.

Posterior iliac crest, posterior superior iliac spine, posterior surface of the sacrotuberous ligament, dorsum of the sacrum and coccyx, and posterior portion of the sacroiliac ligament.

Gluteal tuberosity of the femur (one-fourth to one-half of total fibers).

Iliotibial band (tract) to the lateral condyle of the tibia (one-half to three-fourths of total fibers).

Side lying or prone.

Note a line drawn between the iliac crest and greater trochanter of the femur. Insert the needle about 5 cm inferior from the iliac crest. If inserted too inferiorly and deeply, it will be in the gluteus minimus.

Abduct and internally rotate the thigh.

Broad, thick muscle on the outer surface of the pelvis. Its posterior portion lies deep to the gluteus maximus.

L5, S1-superior gluteal nerve.

Outer surface of ilium between iliac crest and posterior gluteal line.

Greater trochanter of the femur.