Bony landmark · Pelvis

Iliac crest

Crista iliaca

The iliac crest is the curved rim you rest your hands on at your waist — the top edge of the pelvis, and one of the few bones traceable along its whole length through the skin. It is one of the busiest attachment sites in the body, and its job is to hand off between trunk and leg. From below and outside, the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus and tensor fasciae latae take origin from it and run down to the thigh. From above, the external oblique, internal oblique and transversus abdominis attach to it. Behind, the thoracolumbar fascia, the latissimus dorsi and the quadratus lumborum tie it into the low back. Its highest point sits level with the fourth lumbar vertebra, which is why it is used as a counting landmark for the spine.