What it means
Describes the ilium and the parts near it. The iliac crest is the curved top edge of the hip bone that you can feel at your waist. The iliac arteries and veins carry blood between the lower aorta and the legs. Nurses use the iliac crest as a landmark, for example when finding the ventrogluteal injection site.
For the nurse
When locating the ventrogluteal site, the hand rests on the greater trochanter and the fingers point toward the iliac crest. Iliac crest bone is a common donor site for bone grafts, so check that site for pain and bleeding too.
In a chart
"Bone marrow aspiration done at the right posterior iliac crest; pressure dressing dry and intact."
Easy to confuse with
ileum
The last and longest part of the small intestine, which joins the large intestine.
Related terms
ilium
The large, wing-shaped upper part of each hip bone.