Dimples of Venus
Encyclopedia
The dimples of Venus are sagittally symmetrical indentations sometimes visible on the human lower back
, just superior to the gluteal cleft
. They are directly superficial to the two sacroiliac joint
s, the sites where the sacrum
attaches to the ilium
of the pelvis
.
The term "dimples of Venus", while informal, is a historically accepted name within the medical profession for the superficial topography
of the sacroiliac joints. The Latin name is fossae lumbales laterales ("lateral lumbar indentations"). These indentations are created by a short ligament stretching between the posterior superior iliac spine
and the skin. They are thought to be genetic.
There are other deep-to-superficial skin ligaments, such as "Cooper's ligaments
", which are present in the breast and are found between the pectoralis major fascia and the skin.
There is another use for the term "Dimple of Venus" in surgical anatomy. These are two symmetrical indentations on the posterior aspect of sacrum
which contain a venous channel too. They are used as a landmark for finding the superior articular facets of the sacrum as a guide to place sacral pedicle screws in spine surgery.
Human back
The human back is the large posterior area of the human body, rising from the top of the buttocks to the back of the neck and the shoulders. It is the surface opposite to the chest, its height being defined by the vertebral column and its breadth being supported by the ribcage and shoulders...
, just superior to the gluteal cleft
Gluteal cleft
The intergluteal cleft, also known as the natal cleft, the vertical gluteal crease, and the gluteal cleft, is the groove between the buttocks that runs from just below the sacrum to the perineum, so named because it forms the visible border between the external rounded protrusions of the gluteus...
. They are directly superficial to the two sacroiliac joint
Sacroiliac joint
The sacroiliac joint or SI joint is the joint in the bony pelvis between the sacrum and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined together by strong ligaments. In humans, the sacrum supports the spine and is supported in turn by an ilium on each side...
s, the sites where the sacrum
Sacrum
In vertebrate anatomy the sacrum is a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. Its upper part connects with the last lumbar vertebra, and bottom part with the coccyx...
attaches to the ilium
Ilium (bone)
The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin ,...
of the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
.
The term "dimples of Venus", while informal, is a historically accepted name within the medical profession for the superficial topography
Topography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
of the sacroiliac joints. The Latin name is fossae lumbales laterales ("lateral lumbar indentations"). These indentations are created by a short ligament stretching between the posterior superior iliac spine
Posterior superior iliac spine
The posterior border of the ala, shorter than the anterior, also presents two projections separated by a notch, the posterior superior iliac spine and the posterior inferior iliac spine. The posterior superior iliac spine serves for the attachment of the oblique portion of the posterior sacroiliac...
and the skin. They are thought to be genetic.
There are other deep-to-superficial skin ligaments, such as "Cooper's ligaments
Cooper's ligaments
Cooper's ligaments are connective tissue in the breast that help maintain structural integrity.Transmission diffraction tomography can reveal the anatomy....
", which are present in the breast and are found between the pectoralis major fascia and the skin.
There is another use for the term "Dimple of Venus" in surgical anatomy. These are two symmetrical indentations on the posterior aspect of sacrum
Sacrum
In vertebrate anatomy the sacrum is a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. Its upper part connects with the last lumbar vertebra, and bottom part with the coccyx...
which contain a venous channel too. They are used as a landmark for finding the superior articular facets of the sacrum as a guide to place sacral pedicle screws in spine surgery.