
The gluteal muscles, often called glutes, are a group of three or four muscles which make up the gluteal region commonly known as the buttocks. The gluteal region refers to the general region of the buttocks that is situated on the posterior aspect of the pelvic girdle. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles and makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of the hips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gluteal muscles |
| Other names | Glutes, buttock muscles |
| Number of muscles | Three (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus) or four (including tensor fasciae latae) |
| Location | Gluteal region, or buttocks |
| Origin | Ilium and sacrum |
| Insertion | Femur |
| Function | Extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the hip joint |
| Appearance | Thick, fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape |
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What You'll Learn
- The gluteal muscles are made up of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus
- The gluteus maximus is the largest and strongest muscle in the body
- The gluteal muscles are the most superficial group of the posterior hip and thigh muscles
- The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle situated on the outer surface of the pelvis
- The gluteal region refers to the general region of the buttocks

The gluteal muscles are made up of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus
The gluteal muscles, often referred to as the glutes, are a group of three muscles that make up the gluteal region, also known as the buttocks. These three muscles are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. They originate from the ilium and sacrum and insert on the femur. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles and makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of the hips. It is a narrow and thick fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape and forms the prominence of the buttocks. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It lies beneath the gluteus maximus and its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, its anterior two-thirds by the gluteal aponeurosis, which separates it from the superficial fascia and skin. The gluteus medius muscle originates on the outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and the posterior gluteal line above, and the anterior gluteal line below. The fibres of the muscle converge into a strong flattened tendon that inserts on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter. The gluteal muscles are the most superficial group of the posterior hip and thigh muscles. They fill the gluteal region and provide it with shape and form.
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The gluteus maximus is the largest and strongest muscle in the body
The gluteal muscles are a group of three muscles which make up the gluteal region, commonly known as the buttocks. These are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest and strongest muscle in the body. It is a narrow and thick fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape, and forms the prominence of the buttocks. It is also the most superficial of the three gluteal muscles.
The gluteus maximus is larger in size and thicker in humans than in other primates. It is approximately 1.6 times larger relative to body mass compared to chimpanzees and comprises about 18.3% of total hip musculature mass. In comparison, in chimpanzees, the gluteus maximus comprises about 11.7% of total hip musculature mass.
The gluteus maximus is the strongest muscle in the body. When paralysis of the gluteus maximus occurs, the person feels difficulty standing up from a sitting posture without support. It is also important for athletic performance and stability of certain joints in the body.
The gluteal muscles are the most superficial group of the posterior hip and thigh muscles. They fill the gluteal region and provide it with shape and form. The gluteal region refers to the general region of the buttocks that is situated on the posterior aspect of the pelvic girdle. It is bounded anteriorly by the pelvic girdle, superiorly by the iliac crest and inferiorly by the gluteal folds.
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The gluteal muscles are the most superficial group of the posterior hip and thigh muscles
The gluteal muscles, often called glutes, are a group of three muscles which make up the gluteal region commonly known as the buttocks. These are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of the hips. It is a narrow and thick fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape, and forms the prominence of the buttocks. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It lies profound to the gluteus maximus and its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, its anterior two-thirds by the gluteal aponeurosis, which separates it from the superficial fascia and skin. The gluteal region refers to the general region of the buttocks that is situated on the posterior aspect of the pelvic girdle. It is bounded anteriorly by the pelvic girdle, superiorly by the iliac crest and inferiorly by the gluteal folds. All of the gluteal muscles have a common origin on the ilium and insertion on the femur, as well as their own additional attachments.
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The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle situated on the outer surface of the pelvis
The gluteal muscles, often referred to as the glutes, are a group of three muscles that make up the gluteal region, otherwise known as the buttocks. These muscles are the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It lies beneath the gluteus maximus, and its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, while its anterior two-thirds are covered by the gluteal aponeurosis, which separates it from the superficial fascia and skin. The gluteus medius originates on the outer surface of the ilium, between the iliac crest and the posterior gluteal line above, and the anterior gluteal line below. The gluteus medius also originates from the gluteal aponeurosis that covers its outer surface. The fibres of the muscle converge into a strong flattened tendon that inserts on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter.
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The gluteal region refers to the general region of the buttocks
The gluteal muscles are the most superficial group of the posterior hip and thigh muscles. This muscle group consists of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae. These four muscles fill the gluteal region and provide it with shape and form. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of the hips. It is a narrow and thick fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape, and forms the prominence of the buttocks. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It lies profound to the gluteus maximus and its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, its anterior two-thirds by the gluteal aponeurosis, which separates it from the superficial fascia and skin. The gluteus medius muscle originates on the outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and the posterior gluteal line above, and the anterior gluteal line below.
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Frequently asked questions
The gluteal muscles are found in the gluteal region, also known as the buttocks.
The gluteal muscles are made up of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae.
The gluteus maximus is the largest and strongest muscle in the body.
The gluteal muscles are responsible for extension, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation of the hip joint.










































