Logan Steele
The human body has over 600 muscles, which, along with bones, tendons, and ligaments, form the musculoskeletal system. Tendons are tough connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. The greater trochanter is a large bony eminence at the proximal femur that provides an insertion site for the tendons of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, which function as strong hip abductors. The obturator internus, superior and inferior gemellus, and piriformis tendons also insert in this area and function as external rotators of the hip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles in the human body | Over 600 |
| Number of muscles that attach to bones | About 700 |
| Type of muscle that attaches to bones | Skeletal muscle |
| Tissue that attaches muscle to bone | Tendons |
| Type of muscle tissue | Visceral, cardiac, and skeletal |
| Type of muscle that moves the body | Skeletal muscle |
| Type of muscle that moves internal organs | Smooth muscle |
| Type of muscle that pumps blood through the body | Cardiac muscle |
| Type of muscle that attaches to the greater trochanter | Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus |
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What You'll Learn
- The greater trochanter is a large bony eminence at the proximal femur
- The gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, gemellus superior, and gemellus inferior muscles attach to the greater trochanter
- The obturator internus, obturator externus, and piriformis muscles also attach to the greater trochanter
- The greater trochanter is a part of the skeletal system
- The greater trochanter is involved in hip abduction and external rotation
The greater trochanter is a large bony eminence at the proximal femur
The human body is made up of over 600 muscles, which are attached to bones, tissues, and other muscles. These muscles are part of the musculoskeletal system and work with bones, tendons, and ligaments to support the body's weight and enable movement. Tendons are bands of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones.
The greater trochanter is a large, irregular, quadrilateral bony eminence at the proximal femur. It is a part of the skeletal system and is directed laterally, medially, and slightly posteriorly. In adults, the greater trochanter is about 2-4 cm lower than the femoral head. The pelvic outlet in females is larger than in males, resulting in a greater distance between the greater trochanters in females.
The greater trochanter has two surfaces and four borders. The lateral surface is quadrilateral, broad, rough, and convex, with a diagonal impression that serves as the insertion site for the tendon of the gluteus medius muscle. The triangular surface above it can be rough for the tendon or smooth for the interposition of a bursa between the tendon and the bone. The medial surface, which is smaller than the lateral surface, has a deep depression called the trochanteric fossa, which serves as the insertion site for the tendon of the obturator externus muscle.
The superior border is thick and irregular, with an impression for the insertion of the piriformis muscle. The inferior border corresponds to the line of junction between the base of the trochanter and the lateral surface of the body, providing origin to the upper part of the vastus lateralis. The anterior border is prominent and affords insertion to the gluteus minimus, while the posterior border is very prominent and appears as a free, rounded edge.
The greater trochanter provides insertion sites for several tendons, including the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, obturator internus, and obturator externus. These muscles function as strong hip abductors and external rotators of the hip.
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The gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, gemellus superior, and gemellus inferior muscles attach to the greater trochanter
The human body has over 600 muscles, which, along with bones, tendons, and ligaments, are part of the musculoskeletal system. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that help the body move. They work by shortening their length, pulling on tendons, and moving bones closer to each other. Tendons are bands of connective tissue that attach muscles to bones.
The gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, gemellus superior, and gemellus inferior muscles are all part of the gluteal region. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It originates from the gluteal surface of the ilium and inserts into the lateral surface of the greater trochanter. The gluteus minimus is the deepest and smallest of the superficial gluteal muscles. It originates from the ilium and inserts into the anterior side of the greater trochanter. These two muscles are similar in shape and function and are innervated by the superior gluteal nerve. They work together to abduct the hip and stabilise the pelvis during locomotion.
The gemellus superior and gemellus inferior muscles are part of the deep gluteal muscles, a set of smaller muscles located underneath the gluteus minimus. They are involved in the lateral rotation of the lower limb and help stabilise the hip joint. The obturator internus muscle is sometimes considered part of the gemelli muscles.
Injuries to the superior gluteal nerve can lead to a loss of motor function in the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, resulting in an unsteady pelvis.
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The obturator internus, obturator externus, and piriformis muscles also attach to the greater trochanter
The obturator internus, obturator externus, and piriformis muscles attach to the greater trochanter of the femur. The obturator internus is a deep muscle of the hip joint, situated within the pelvic and gluteal regions. It is a bilateral triangular-shaped muscle and forms part of the lateral wall of the pelvis. The obturator internus is considered a prime mover, acting as an external rotator of the extended thigh and abductor of the flexed thigh. It also plays a role in hip joint stability, particularly when the thigh is flexed.
The obturator externus is another bilateral triangular-shaped muscle, originating from the obturator membrane and pelvic bone. It is one of the hip adductors, inserting into the medial posterior part of the femur bone. The obturator externus is innervated by the lumbar plexus, unlike the other short external rotators of the hip which are innervated by the sacral plexus.
The piriformis muscle is part of the deep layer of muscles of the gluteal region, along with the obturator internus, quadratus femoris, and gemellus superior and inferior muscles. This group of muscles shares a common tendon, inserting at the greater trochanter of the femur. The piriformis muscle has been studied in relation to the obturator internus, with research focusing on piriformis preservation during posterior hip arthroplasty.
The obturator internus, obturator externus, and piriformis muscles work together to externally rotate the hip and provide stability to the hip joint. Their attachment to the greater trochanter allows them to abduct and externally rotate the thigh, contributing to the overall function and stability of the lower limb.
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The greater trochanter is a part of the skeletal system
The human body has more than 600 muscles, which, along with bones, tendons, and ligaments, form the musculoskeletal system. Skeletal muscles are the most common type of muscle in the human body, accounting for 30% to 40% of total body mass. They are attached to the bones of the skeletal system and consist of flexible muscle fibres that range from less than half an inch to just over 3 inches in diameter. Each muscle contains thousands of fibres that contract to enable movement.
The greater trochanter is a large, irregular, quadrilateral eminence and is indeed a part of the skeletal system. It is a proximal part of the femur, directed laterally and medially and slightly posteriorly. In adults, it is about 2-4 cm lower than the femoral head. The greater trochanter has two surfaces and four borders. The lateral surface, which is quadrilateral in form, is broad, rough, convex, and marked by a diagonal impression. This surface serves as an insertion site for the tendon of the gluteus medius, a muscle that functions as a strong hip abductor.
The triangular surface above the diagonal impression is sometimes rough for the tendon of the gluteus medius, and sometimes smooth to accommodate a bursa between the tendon and the bone. The triangular surface below and behind the diagonal impression is smooth, and the tendon of the gluteus maximus lies over it. The medial surface, which is much smaller than the lateral surface, has a deep depression at its base called the trochanteric fossa, which serves as an insertion site for the tendon of the obturator externus.
The superior border is thick and irregular, with an impression for the insertion of the piriformis. The inferior border is marked by a rough, prominent, slightly curved ridge, which gives origin to the upper part of the vastus lateralis. The anterior border provides insertion for the gluteus minimus, while the posterior border is very prominent and appears as a free, rounded edge, which bounds the back part of the trochanteric fossa.
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The greater trochanter is involved in hip abduction and external rotation
The greater trochanter is a large, bony projection at the femur's proximal end, forming the insertion site for several muscles and tendons. It is a critical anatomical structure involved in hip abduction and external rotation.
The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles are the primary abductor muscle groups attaching to the greater trochanter. These muscles originate from the superoposterior, lateral, and anterior facets of the greater trochanter, respectively. They play a crucial role in hip abduction, with their anterior and middle fibres assisting in initiating the abduction movement. Additionally, the gluteus medius and minimus help stabilise the head of the femur during movement and gait.
The piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, and obturator internus muscles also attach to the greater trochanter and function as external rotators of the hip. These muscles share tendinous attachments and work together to externally rotate the hip.
The greater trochanter's role in hip abduction and external rotation is significant, and injuries to this area can have consequences for hip function. For example, fractures of the greater trochanter can cause avulsion injuries to the attachment points of the gluteal muscles, potentially affecting hip abductor strength and leading to chronic pain.
Understanding the anatomy and biomechanics of the greater trochanter is essential for comprehending the stresses and forces acting on the hip joint during movements like abduction and external rotation. This knowledge is valuable in clinical settings, particularly when addressing injuries or conditions affecting the hip, such as greater trochanteric hip syndrome, which can cause pain and mobility issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The greater trochanter is a large bony eminence at the proximal femur. It has two surfaces and four borders.
The gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, obturator internus, superior gemellus, and inferior gemellus muscles attach to the greater trochanter.
The gluteus medius and minimus muscles function as strong hip abductors. The other muscles that attach to the greater trochanter function as external rotators of the hip.
The greater trochanter can be palpated in most individuals by placing the extended fingers of both hands on the lateral aspect of each upper thigh and gently feeling from the buttock to the thigh until a firm bony prominence is detected.
