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The gluteal muscles are some of the body's largest and most powerful muscles, contributing to a range of fundamental movements, such as bending, straightening, and twisting at the waist. The three gluteal muscles are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial muscle, providing shape to the buttocks and facilitating movements such as abduction and extension of the thigh. The gluteus medius is a large, fan-shaped muscle that contributes to pelvis stabilization and thigh movement. The gluteus minimus is the smallest and deepest muscle, working together with the gluteus medius to internally rotate the thigh and stabilize the pelvis. These muscles connect with other soft tissues and bones to enable efficient movement and support the body's weight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of muscles | 3 |
| Names of muscles | Gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus |
| Largest muscle | Gluteus maximus |
| Functions | Bending and straightening the legs, bending, straightening and twisting at the waist, sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping, climbing stairs |
| Muscle fibre direction | Obliquely downward and lateralward |
| Muscle fibre insertion sites | Upper and larger portion of the muscle, superficial fibres of the lower portion, thick tendinous lamina, iliotibial band of the fascia lata, deeper fibres of the lower portion, gluteal tuberosity between the vastus lateralis and adductor magnus |
| Muscle fibre origins | Posterior gluteal line of the inner upper ilium, rough portion of bone including the crest, posterior surface of the lower part of the sacrum and the side of the coccyx, aponeurosis of the erector spinae (lumbodorsal fascia), sacrotuberous ligament, fascia covering the gluteus medius, outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and the posterior gluteal line |
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What You'll Learn
Gluteus maximus
The gluteal muscles are made up of three different muscles: the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest of the three and is also the largest muscle in the human body. It is the outermost muscle of the buttocks and forms the prominence of the gluteal region. The gluteus maximus is enveloped in a thin fascia that separates it from the adjacent subcutaneous tissue. The deep surface of the muscle covers the gluteus medius, pelvic bones, proximal attachments of the hamstring muscles, and several lateral rotators of the hip.
The gluteus maximus originates from the back of the pelvis and sacrum and inserts on the backside of the top of the femur, connecting to the iliotibial band, which runs down the lateral part of the thigh and past the knee. The muscle fibres take an inferolateral course, converging towards the femur. The muscle fibres of the gluteus maximus are directed obliquely downward and lateralward, and they have two insertions. The upper and larger portion of the muscle, along with the superficial fibres of the lower portion, end in a thick tendinous lamina, which passes across the greater trochanter and inserts into the iliotibial band of the fascia lata. The deeper fibres of the lower portion of the muscle insert into the gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
The gluteus maximus is a tensor of the fascia lata, and its connection with the iliotibial band helps to stabilise the femur on the articular surfaces of the tibia during standing. The muscle carries out an extension, a valgisation, and an external rotation of the knee. It is the main extensor of the thigh and assists with lateral rotation, although it is only used when force is required, such as in running or climbing. The gluteus maximus also supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract.
The gluteus maximus is involved in several sports, from running to weightlifting. Exercises that focus on the gluteus maximus include squats, split squats, unilateral squats, and wide-stance lunges. The muscle is also important in injury prevention and maintaining an upright erect posture.
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Gluteus medius
The gluteal muscles are made up of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus medius is a large, fan-shaped muscle that lies between the gluteus maximus and the gluteus minimus. It is situated on the outer surface of the pelvis and is covered partially by the gluteus maximus. The gluteus medius is a thick, broad muscle that is similar in shape and function to the gluteus minimus. It originates from the back of the pelvis and inserts at the top of the femur, close to where it connects to the pelvis.
The gluteus medius is a vital muscle for locomotion and plays a key role in stabilising the pelvis and maintaining the trunk upright when standing on one leg, running, or walking. It also helps to prevent the pelvis from dropping when the contralateral leg is raised. The gluteus medius is a primary hip abductor, and its anterior fibres help with the internal rotation of the thigh, while its posterior fibres assist with lateral rotation when the knee is extended. The muscle's tendon inserts into an oblique ridge on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter, which is a rough area that runs downward and forward.
The gluteus medius is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve and the superior gluteal artery, which is the largest branch of the internal iliac artery. The muscle fibres take distinct courses depending on their position: the fibres of the posterior portion pass forwards and downwards, the middle portion fibres pass downwards, and the anterior portion fibres pass backwards and downwards. All these fibres combine to form a flattened tendon that attaches to the posterior and lateral part of the superior portion of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Weakness or dysfunction of the gluteus medius can lead to issues with gait and stability. Sitting with crossed legs for long periods can potentially weaken the gluteus medius, as it elongates the muscle beyond its resting length. Dysfunction of the gluteus medius or the superior gluteal nerve can be indicated by a positive Trendelenburg's sign.
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Gluteus minimus
The gluteal muscles are a group of three muscles – the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus – that are located in the buttocks. These muscles are used in everyday functions such as sitting, standing, walking, running, and jumping.
The gluteus minimus is the smallest of the three gluteal muscles and is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius. It is fan-shaped and originates on the pelvis, inserting on the very top of the femur at the hip joint. The muscle is composed of two distinct segments – anterior and posterior – with two different roles. The anterior segment reduces the stresses on the hip anterosuperior structures, while the posterior segment stabilises the head of the femur. The gluteus minimus is a hip stabiliser and abductor of the hip, with its main action being hip abduction. It stabilises the pelvis during single-limb support in the gait, as it is activated on the supported side, preventing the pelvis from dropping on the opposite swing side.
The gluteus minimus acts in synergy with the gluteus medius to abduct and internally rotate the thigh, contributing to the stabilisation of the hip and pelvis. The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus abduct the thigh, when the limb is extended, and are principally called into action in supporting the body on one limb, in conjunction with the tensor fasciæ latæ. Their anterior fibres also flex the hip and, by drawing the greater trochanter forward, rotate the thigh inward. This internal rotation of the thigh also occurs with the hip flexed. With the hip extended, the gluteus minimus externally rotates the thigh.
Weakness in the gluteus minimus can result in a trendelenburg gait, where the pelvis drops on the unsupported side. Tendinopathy of the gluteus minimus can result in a condition known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), characterised by lateral hip pain.
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Tensor fascia lata
The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) is a small muscle located in the proximal anterolateral thigh, between the superficial and deep fibres of the iliotibial (IT) band. The TFL works in conjunction with the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus in a wide variety of hip movements, including flexion, abduction, and internal rotation. It also assists in knee flexion and lateral rotation through the attachment of the IT band to the tibia.
The TFL is innervated by the superior gluteal nerve, L5 and S1, and originates from the anterior rami of L4, L5, and S1 nerves. The superior gluteal nerve exits the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis, and also courses between the gluteus medius and minimus. The tensor fasciae latae is a tensor of the fascia lata, and its oblique direction of fibres enables it to stabilise the hip in extension, assisting the gluteus maximus during hip extension.
The basic functional movement of the TFL is walking, and it is heavily utilised in horse riding, hurdling, and water skiing. The TFL can become tight, contracted, or inflamed, leading to pelvic imbalances and pain in the hips, lower back, and lateral area of the knees. To stretch the TFL, the knee may be brought medially across the body (adducted).
The TFL is an important muscle for pelvis stability during standing and walking. It also plays a supportive role in the gait cycle, assisting the gluteus medius and minimus in abduction and medial rotation of the lower limb. The gluteal muscles, including the TFL, help with functions such as sitting, standing, walking, running, and jumping, and contribute to optimal movement and athletic performance.
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Deep lateral rotators
The deep lateral rotators are a group of six muscles that work together to rotate the thigh at the hip. They are located deep to the large gluteus maximus, which is the largest muscle in the body. The deep lateral rotators are smaller in comparison but are still powerful when working together.
The six muscles that make up the deep lateral rotators are the piriformis, gemellus superior, gemellus inferior, obturator internus, quadratus femoris, and obturator externus. The names of these muscles refer to their locations relative to each other. For example, "gemellus" comes from the Latin "geminus", meaning twin or doubled, and "superior" means above, while "inferior" means below.
All of the deep lateral rotators originate on various locations on the ischium of the pelvis, except for the piriformis muscle, which originates on the anterior side of the sacrum. They insert together at the greater trochanter, which is a bony bump at the top of the femur.
The deep lateral rotators contribute to a variety of hip actions. When both hips are moving together (bilateral action), they can help extend the hip joint. In an open-chain position, such as a yoga pose, they can contribute to extending the legs at the hip joint. In a closed-chain position, such as standing on both feet, they can tilt the pelvis posteriorly relative to the legs.
The deep lateral rotators are important for understanding pelvic movement and can be targeted in yoga poses to improve flexibility and strength.
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Frequently asked questions
The glutes are among the body's largest and most powerful muscles. They are made up of three different muscles: the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus minimus.
The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the gluteal muscles. It originates on the back of the pelvis and sacrum and inserts on the back side of the top of the femur (thigh bone). It also connects to the iliotibial band, which runs down the lateral part of the thigh and past the knee.
The gluteus medius is a large, fan-shaped muscle that originates on the back of the pelvis and inserts on the top of the femur, close to where it connects to the pelvis. It lies between the gluteus maximus and the gluteus minimus.
The gluteus minimus is the smallest and deepest of the gluteal muscles. It is triangular-shaped and lies underneath the gluteus medius. It originates on the pelvis and inserts on the top of the femur at the hip joint.
