The intergluteal cleft or just gluteal cleft, also known by a number of synonyms, including natal cleft and cluneal cleft, is the groove between the

buttocks The buttocks (: buttock) are two rounded portions of the exterior anatomy of most mammals, located on the posterior of the pelvic region. In humans, the buttocks are located between the lower back and the perineum. They are composed of a lay ...

that runs from just below the

sacrum The sacrum (: sacra or sacrums), in human anatomy, is a triangular bone at the base of the spine that forms by the fusing of the sacral vertebrae (S1S5) between ages 18 and 30. The sacrum situates at the upper, back part of the pelvic cavity, ...

to the

perineum The perineum (: perineums or perinea) in placentalia, placental mammals is the space between the anus and the genitals. The human perineum is between the anus and scrotum in the male or between the anus and vulva in the female. The perineum is ...

, so named because it forms the visible border between the external rounded protrusions of the

gluteus maximus muscle The gluteus maximus is the main extensor muscle of the hip in humans. It is the largest and outermost of the three gluteal muscles and makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of each side of the hips. It is the single largest muscle i ...

s. Other names are the ''anal cleft'', ''crena analis'', ''crena interglutealis'', and ''rima ani''. Colloquially, the intergluteal cleft is known as ''bum crack'' (UK) or ''butt crack'' (US). The intergluteal cleft is located superior to the

anus In mammals, invertebrates and most fish, the anus (: anuses or ani; from Latin, 'ring' or 'circle') is the external body orifice at the ''exit'' end of the digestive tract (bowel), i.e. the opposite end from the mouth. Its function is to facil ...

. There are several disorders that can affect the intergluteal cleft including

inverse psoriasis Inverse psoriasis or flexural psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that selectively, and often exclusively, involves the folds, recesses, and flexor surfaces such as the ears, axillae, groin folds, inframammary folds, navel, intergluteal cleft, peni ...

caudal regression syndrome Caudal regression syndrome, or sacral agenesis (or hypoplasia of the sacrum), is a rare congenital disorder in which the fetal development of the lower Vertebral column, spine—the Caudal (anatomical term), caudal partition of the spine—is abno ...

, and

pilonidal disease Pilonidal disease is a type of skin infection that typically occurs as a cyst Intergluteal cleft, between the cheeks of the buttocks and often at the upper end. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and redness. There may also be drainage of fluid ...

References

Buttocks {{anatomy-stub

See also

References