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Gluteal Region Muscles Anatomy
Gluteal Region Muscles Anatomy
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The gluteal region, or buttock area, is located behind the pelvic girdle at the top of the thigh bone (femur). The muscles here move the lower limb at the hip joint and are grouped into two main sets:
Superficial abductors and extensors
Deep lateral rotators.
Superficial abductors and extensors are large muscles that extend and move the thigh away from the body. This group includes the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae.
Deep lateral rotators are smaller muscles that mainly rotate the thigh outward. This group includes the piriformis, obturator internus, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, and quadratus femoris.
Superficial Muscles
Superficial Muscles
The superficial gluteal muscles, the three glutei, and the tensor fasciae latae, mainly extend and abduct the thigh at the hip joint.
Gluteus Maximus
The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial gluteal muscle, forming the bulk and shape of the buttocks. It's the main extensor of the thigh; it is active during powerful movements like running or climbing. Also helps in outward (lateral) rotation.
Origin: From the back of the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx, and inserts into the iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
Insertion: Iliotibial tract, gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve.
Gluteus Medius
The gluteus medius is a fan-shaped muscle that lies between the gluteus maximus and minimus. It abducts and rotates the thigh inward (medially). It stabilizes the pelvis when standing on one leg.
Origin: From the outer surface of the ilium to the side of the greater trochanter.
Insertion: Lateral aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve.
Gluteus Minimus
The gluteus minimus is the deepest and smallest of the gluteal muscles. It Works with the gluteus medius to abduct and medially rotate the thigh; it stabilizes the pelvis while walking.
Origin: From the ilium to the front of the greater trochanter.
Insertion: Anterior aspect of greater trochanter of femur.
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve.
Tensor Fasciae Latae
The tensor fasciae latae is a small muscle along the front edge of the iliac crest. It assists the gluteus medius and minimus in abducting and rotating the thigh; it also helps stabilize the hip and knee during movement.
Origin: From the anterior iliac crest to the iliotibial tract, which continues down to the tibia.
Insertion: Lateral condyle of tibia.
Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve.
Quick Reference Table: Muscle Name, Origin, Insertion & Innervation
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Deep Muscles
Deep Muscles
The deep gluteal muscles lie beneath the gluteus minimus. They mainly rotate the thigh outward and help stabilize the hip joint by holding the femoral head in the hip socket.
Piriformis
The piriformis is responsible for lateral rotation and abduction of the thigh.
Origin: From the front of the sacrum to the greater trochanter.
Insertion: Greater trochanter of the femur.
Innervation: Nerve to piriformis (branch of the sacral plexus).
Obturator Internus
The obturator internus is responsible for lateral rotation and abduction.
Origin: From the inner surface of the pelvis (obturator foramen) to the greater trochanter.
Insertion: Medial surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Innervation: Nerve to the obturator internus (branch of the sacral plexus).
Quadratus Femoris
The quadratus femoris is responsible for the lateral rotation of the thigh.
Origin: From the ischial tuberosity to the intertrochanteric crest.
Insertion: Intertrochanteric crest of the femur.
Innervation: Nerve to quadratus femoris (branch of the sacral plexus).
Gemelli
The gemelli (superior and inferior) are responsible for lateral rotation and abduction.
Origin: Superior gemellus from the ischial spine; inferior gemellus from the ischial tuberosity; both attach to the greater trochanter.
Insertion: Medial surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Innervation: Superior gemellus, nerve to obturator internus; inferior gemellus, nerve to quadratus femoris (branch of the sacral plexus).
Need a recap? Take a look at the Gluteal Muscles anatomy notes here.
Need a recap? Take a look at the Gluteal Muscles anatomy notes here.
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References
References
Gray, H. (2009). Anatomy of the human body, part 2 (LibriVox Volunteers, Narr.) [Audiobook]. LibriVox. https://librivox.org/anatomy-of-the-human-body-part-2-by-henry-gray/ (Original work published 1858)
J Gordon Betts, Desaix, P., Johnson, E., Johnson, J. E., Korol, O., Kruse, D., Poe, B., Wise, J., Womble, M. D., & Young, K. A. (2013). Anatomy & physiology. Openstax College, Rice University. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology
Based on OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology (2013), licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction.
Content paraphrased; adaptations were made.
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