Applied anatomy on intramuscular injection in gluteal area

Objective To provide scientific anatomy data for gluteal area and determine safe intramuscular injection point in gluteal area. Methods 33 (66 sides) adult lower limbs were dissected layer by layer to observe and measure the thickness between the skin and hypodermis as well as the thickness between the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius ; observe the branched type of superior gluteal nerve and the diameters of superior gluteal artery and vein. Results The mean thickness between skin and hypodermis was 1.2 cm for male, and was 1.4 cm for female, and the mean thickness of gluteus maximus was 18 cm for male, and was 1.5 cm for female. The mean thickness of gluteus medius was 1.4 cm for male , and was 1.2 cm for female. The deep branches of superior gluteal nerve together with blood vessels form vascular nerve layer , most of which divided into upper and lower branches, the blood vessel weree located under the corresponding nerve. Conclusion In the area above the line from greater trochanter to ischial tuberosity tuber, the superior portion of the inferior middle 1 / 3 and anterior 1 / 3 is the most suitable site to inject. Two finger wide under superior middle 1 / 3 can be selected as injected point.