Buttocks



The buttocks are the two masses of muscle (the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) and fat covering the posterior aspect of the human pelvis. The anatomical Latin name for the buttocks is nates (pronounced /'neɪti:z/ in English).

Although gluteus maximus is one of the biggest and strongest muscles in the human body, between a third (in children and men) and half (in women) of the buttocks mass is actually fat. The two hemisphere-shaped masses of the buttocks are called cheeks. The vertical crack between the cheeks is properly called gluteal cleft or natal cleft. The horizontal fold where the buttocks meet the legs is called gluteal sulcus. Above the buttocks, at the lower back, is the sacral triangle.

The buttocks allow humans to stand upright and walk on their legs. They also make sitting without resting weight on one's legs comfortable.

Spanking
In many cultures, corporal punishment is traditionally delivered on the buttocks (it is then called spanking, though in British English this is generally said only when applied by hand, not with an implement such as a strap, birch or cane).

This is especially true for lighter punishment and domestic discipline on children (and in some cultures, on wives). Different reasons have been put forward to explain the preference for this anatomical target:


 * While there are many nerve endings in the area (ensuring sufficient pain), there is relatively little risk of the spankee sustaining long-term injury since internal and other vulnerable organs are are unlikely to be affected. The buttocks are considered shameful, and having them bared or being made to disrobe them for punishment is added humiliation.

Spankophiles call the lower inner portion of the buttocks the "sweet spot", because getting spanked there feels especially good. The suspected reason for this is probably because this region is fed by the same nerve group that is shared by the genitals.