Gluteus medius muscle
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| Gluteus medius | |
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| The gluteus medius and nearby muscles | |
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| Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions with origin and insertion of gluteus medius muscle labeled | |
| Gray's | subject #128 474 |
| Origin | Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus maximus |
| Insertion | Greater trochanter of the femur |
| Artery: | superior gluteal artery |
| Nerve: | superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) |
| Action: | abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. |
| Antagonist: | lateral rotator group |
The gluteus medius, one of the three gluteal muscles, is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis.
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 integument.
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[edit] Origin and insertion
It arises from the outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and posterior gluteal line above, and the anterior gluteal line below; it also arises from the gluteal aponeurosis covering its outer surface.
The fibers converge to a strong flattened tendon, which is inserted into the oblique ridge which runs downward and forward on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter.
[edit] Relations
A bursa separates the tendon of the muscle from the surface of the trochanter over which it glides.
[edit] Action
The Glutæi medius and minimus abduct the thigh when the limb is extended but are principally called into action in supporting the body on one limb, in conjunction with the Tensor fasciæ latæ.
Their anterior fibers, by drawing the greater trochanter forward, rotate the thigh inward, in which action they are also assisted by the Tensor fasciæ latæ. When the hip is flexed to ninety degrees however the glutæi medius aids in rotating the thigh outwards.
[edit] Variations
The posterior border may be more or less closely united to the piriformis, or some of the fibers end on its tendon.
The posterior fibres of gluteus medius contract to produce hip extension, lateral rotation and abduction. During gait, the posterior fibres help to decelerate internal rotation of the femur at the end of swing phase.
[edit] Additional images
 Right hip bone. External surface. |
 Right femur. Posterior surface. |
 Structures surrounding right hip-joint. |
 The arteries of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions. |
 Nerves of the right lower extremity Posterior view. |
 Surface anatomy of the back. |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
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