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The gluteal muscles, commonly referred to as the glutes, are a group of three muscles: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. These muscles originate from the ilium and sacrum and insert on the femur. The gluteus maximus, the largest and most superficial muscle of the gluteal region, originates from the posterior surface of the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx, and inserts on the femur. The gluteus medius, a fan-shaped muscle, originates from the gluteal surface of the ilium and inserts on the greater trochanter of the femur. The gluteus minimus, the smallest and deepest muscle, originates from the ilium and inserts on the anterior side of the greater trochanter. These muscles play a crucial role in various functions, including sitting, standing, walking, and running, and are essential for maintaining posture and stability.
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What You'll Learn
Gluteus maximus attaches to the femur
The gluteal muscles, or glutes, include the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial muscle of the gluteal region, producing the shape of the buttocks. It originates from several points on the pelvis and wraps around the backside, attaching to the femur (thigh bone).
The gluteus maximus is a powerful extensor of the hip joint. It is activated during powerful lower limb movements such as stepping onto a step, climbing, or running, but it is not used extensively during normal walking. When its proximal attachment is fixed, the gluteus maximus acts as the main extensor of the hip joint, pulling the shaft of the femur posteriorly. This movement occurs simultaneously with the external rotation of the thigh, assisting in raising the medial longitudinal arch of the foot.
The gluteus maximus also plays a crucial role in maintaining an upright posture by balancing the pelvis on femoral heads. The superior portion of the muscle contributes to the abduction of the thigh, while the inferior portion aids in its adduction. Additionally, the gluteus maximus helps stabilize the femur from the lateral aspect of the knee joint by tensing the fascia lata.
The gluteus maximus is one of the strongest muscles in the human body. It works in synergy with the hamstrings to extend the trunk from a flexed position, helping to bring the trunk from a bent-over position to an upright stance. This muscle is essential for activities like standing up from a sitting posture, climbing stairs, and running.
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Gluteus medius attaches to the ilium
The gluteal region, or the buttocks, lies behind the pelvis, where the spine meets the legs. The gluteal muscles are the largest muscles in the buttocks and are closest to the surface. They include the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus medius muscle is fan-shaped and lies between the gluteus maximus and the minimus. It is similar in shape and function to the gluteus minimus.
The gluteus medius muscle has its upper attachment on the gluteal, or lateral surface of the ilium, situated between the posterior and anterior gluteal lines, as well as the gluteal aponeurosis. This attachment spans a large area, extending from the iliac crest above to almost the sciatic notch below. The muscle fibres of the gluteus medius take distinct courses based on their position. The fibres of the posterior portion pass forwards and downwards, the fibres of the middle portion pass downwards, and the fibres of the anterior portion pass backwards and downwards. All the fibres combine to form a flattened tendon, which attaches to the posterior and lateral part of the superior portion of the greater trochanter of the femur.
The gluteus medius is an important muscle in walking, running, and single-leg weight-bearing because it prevents the opposite side of the pelvis from dropping during these activities. When a limb is taken off the ground, the pelvis on that side will tend to drop through a loss of support from below. The gluteus medius works to maintain the side of the pelvis that drops, therefore allowing the other limb to swing forward for the next step. When the distal attachment of the gluteus medius is fixed, the muscle pulls the ilium inferiorly, which results in a slight ipsilateral pelvic tilt and consequential raising of the pelvis on the opposite side. This action is important during walking, as it allows the raised leg from the opposite side to be moved towards the next step.
The gluteus medius also supports the pelvis during gait by producing hip rotation with assistance from the gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata. The hip is supported during the stance phase by acting on the same side. Sitting with crossed legs for a long period of time will potentially weaken the hip abductor muscles as this position will elongate the gluteus medius muscle beyond its resting physiological length.
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Gluteus minimus attaches to the pelvis
The gluteal region, or the buttocks, lies behind the pelvis, where the spine meets the legs. The gluteal muscles attach to and overlie the pelvic bones, especially the ilium, which is the broad, concave bone on each side. The gluteal muscles are the biggest and closest to the surface, making up the shape of the buttocks.
The gluteus minimus is the smallest of the gluteal muscles and is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius. It is fan-shaped and arises from the outer surface of the ilium, between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines, and behind, from the margin of the greater sciatic notch. The gluteus minimus is the deepest and smallest of the superficial gluteal muscles. It is similar in shape and function to the gluteus medius, which lies between the gluteus maximus and the gluteus minimus.
The gluteus minimus originates from the ilium and converges to form a tendon, inserting to the anterior side of the greater trochanter. The fibres converge to the deep surface of a radiated aponeurosis, and this ends in a tendon that is inserted into an impression on the anterior border of the greater trochanter. The gluteus minimus predominantly acts as a hip stabilizer and abductor of the hip. It stabilises the pelvis during locomotion, preventing the 'dropping' of the pelvis on the contralateral side.
The gluteus minimus receives its blood supply from the superior gluteal artery, which arises from the posterior division of the internal iliac artery. The superior gluteal nerve innervates the gluteus minimus. It is a branch of the lumbosacral plexus with nerve root origins of L4, L5, and S1. Damage to the gluteus minimus or the superior gluteal nerve may result in a Trendelenburg gait (gluteal gait), characterised by pelvic sagging, also known as the Trendelenburg sign.
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Tensor fasciae latae attaches to the iliac crest
The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) is a small, superficial muscle that lies towards the anterior edge of the iliac crest. It is a hip abductor muscle that works in synergy with the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles to abduct and medially rotate the femur. The TFL is a tensor of the fascia lata, and its fibres take an oblique direction, enabling it to stabilise the hip in extension. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial muscle of the gluteal region, producing the shape of the buttocks.
The TFL originates from the anterior iliac crest, attaching to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). It inserts into the iliotibial tract, which itself attaches to the lateral condyle of the tibia. The iliotibial tract is a thickening of the fascia lata, which is a fibrous sheath that encircles the thigh. The TFL tautens the iliotibial band and braces the knee, especially when the opposite foot is lifted. This action helps to stabilise the pelvis during standing and walking.
The gluteal region, or the buttocks, lies behind the pelvis, where the spine meets the legs. The gluteal muscles attach to and overlie the pelvic bones, especially the ilium, which is the broad, concave bone on each side. The gluteus maximus covers part of the gluteus medius, the deep lateral hip rotators, and the start of the hamstrings. It originates from several points on the pelvis and wraps around the backside, attaching to the femur (thigh bone).
The gluteus medius is a fan-shaped muscle that lies between the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus. It originates from the gluteal surface of the ilium and inserts into the lateral surface of the greater trochanter. The gluteus minimus is the smallest of the superficial gluteal muscles and originates from the ilium, inserting into the anterior side of the greater trochanter. These muscles work together with the TFL to internally rotate and abduct the hip, and they play a crucial role in stabilising the pelvis during locomotion.
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Piriformis attaches to the sacrum
The gluteal muscles, or glutes, are the muscles in your buttocks. They are the biggest and closest to the surface of the muscles in your buttocks, and they make up the shape of your butt. The gluteal muscles include the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial muscle of the gluteal muscles. It originates from several points on the pelvis and wraps around the backside, attaching to the femur (thigh bone).
The piriformis muscle is a key landmark in the gluteal region. It is the most superior of the deep muscles. The piriformis muscle originates from the anterior surface of the sacrum, between the sacral foramina. It passes laterally to exit the bony pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, often attaching to the gluteal surface of the ilium, close to the posterior inferior iliac spine. The piriformis muscle can have one or two attachments to the sacrum or capsule of the hip joint. The muscle fibres travel inferiorly and laterally through the greater sciatic foramen to insert onto the greater trochanter of the femur.
The piriformis muscle is one of six short external rotators of the hip. It is responsible for stabilizing the hip joint and moving the thigh in various directions. The piriformis muscle externally rotates the femur during hip extension and abducts the femur during hip flexion. Femoral abduction is critical during walking as it shifts the body weight to the opposite side and prevents one from falling. The piriformis also aids in tilting the pelvis posteriorly by pulling the sacrum down towards the thigh.
The piriformis muscle can be used to locate the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve enters the gluteal region inferiorly to the piriformis. Piriformis syndrome is a disorder affecting the proximal sciatic nerve, usually presenting with hip and buttock pain due to inflammation. This condition is often misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated.
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Frequently asked questions
The gluteal muscles attach to the pelvic bones, especially the ilium (the broad, concave bone on each side).
The gluteus maximus attaches to the femur (thigh bone).
The gluteus maximus originates from the gluteal (posterior) surface of the ilium, sacrum and coccyx.
The gluteus medius originates from the gluteal surface of the ilium and inserts into the lateral surface of the greater trochanter.
The gluteus minimus originates from the ilium and inserts into the anterior side of the greater trochanter.
