Standing or lying prone
If you wish to palpate on the skin, provide a sheet or towel for cover or ask the patient to wear shorts. If you think this is necessary, ask the patient if he/she is willing to uncover the posterior thigh area. While the skin can not be viewed with clothes covering the area, the subjective assessment of the thickness of the posterior thigh fat layer can be made over clothing. The measurement of the thickness for body fat assessment with skin calipers can not be done over clothing.
Posterior to the patient.
(For a situation in which you need to have the clothing removed)
Please stand (or lie on your stomach). In order to (explain the reason, e.g. take accurate measurement of your body fat), it is necessary to measure the thickness of the fat layer on back of your thigh. May I place my fingers (or this instrument or caliper) on the back of your thigh? (or point to the demonstrated area, which is much better). There will be a slight squeeze but it will not be painful.
Guide the patient to either stand (or lie prone). Explain the procedure. Gently squeeze the fat layer of the posterior thigh for subjective assessment or use the instrument needed for your test to measure the layer of fat.
VH - Fat on the Posterior thigh