Surface geography

July 29, 2012 9:43 AM

Some people have divots or dimples on their low-lower backs, just to the east and to the west of the base of the spine. What are those called? And what causes them?
posted by mochapickle to Science & Nature (4 answers total)

Best answer: Dimples of Venus, or fossae lumbales laterales ("lateral lumbar indentations").
posted by carsonb at 9:45 AM on July 29, 2012 [8 favorites]

Response by poster: YOU AMAZE ME. Thank you!
posted by mochapickle at 9:46 AM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]

Less poetically, I've seen them called "sacral dimples."
posted by Corvid at 11:44 AM on July 29, 2012

Strictly speaking, sacral dimples are midline, not to either side. Medically they're fossae lumbales laterales.
posted by LittleMissCranky at 12:36 PM on July 29, 2012 [1 favorite]