Pronunciation: [bˈʌtək] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "buttock" is often a source of confusion, but it can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable is pronounced "bʌt", with a short "u" sound and a hard "t" sound. The second syllable is pronounced "ək", with a schwa sound and a hard "k" sound. Together, they make up the word "buttock", referring to each of the two rounded parts of the human body that people sit on.
The term "buttock" refers to one of the two rounded protuberances of flesh located between the lower back and the back of the thigh. More specifically, it is the fleshy part formed by the gluteal muscles on each side of the body. The buttocks serve numerous essential functions in the body, including providing support while sitting, facilitating movement and stability during locomotion, and protecting the underlying bones and tissues.
Anatomically, the buttocks consist of three main muscles known as the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest of the three and is responsible for the overall shape and volume of the buttocks. It extends the thigh and assists in movements such as climbing stairs and standing up from a seated position. The gluteus medius and minimus, on the other hand, assist in abduction and rotation of the hip joint.
Buttocks are a significant part of human aesthetics and are often associated with attractiveness and sexual appeal. They vary greatly in size, shape, and firmness among individuals. Additionally, the buttocks have cultural and social significance in various societies throughout history, with symbolic interpretations ranging from fertility and beauty to power and authority.
Natis, the prominence formed by the gluteal muscles on either side.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "buttock" originates from the Old English term "bycg" or "buttuc", which referred to the back of the body, particularly the posterior part below the waist. The exact etymology beyond this point is uncertain, but it is believed to have roots in the Proto-Germanic word "bukaz", meaning "belly" or "torso". Over time, the term "buttock" came to specifically denote the fleshy part of the body that forms the rounded lower boundaries of the pelvis and upper thighs.
