Gluteus medius

The gluteus medius, one of the three gluteal muscles, is a broad, thick, radiating muscle. It is situated on the outer surface of the pelvis.

Gluteus medius
Position of gluteus medius muscle (shown in red). Posterior view.
The gluteus medius and nearby muscles.
Details
OriginGluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus maximus
InsertionGreater trochanter of the femur
Arterysuperior gluteal artery
Nervesuperior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots)
Actionsabduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial/internal rotation and flexion of the hip (anterior fibers). Extension and Lateral/external rotation of the hip (posterior fibers)
Antagonistadductors
Identifiers
Latinmusculus glutaeus medius
TA98A04.7.02.007
TA22599
FMA22315
Anatomical terms of muscle

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.

Structure

The gluteus medius muscle starts, or "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 fibers of the muscle converge into a strong flattened tendon that inserts on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter. More specifically, the muscle's tendon inserts into an oblique ridge that runs downward and forward on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter.

Relations

A bursa separates the tendon of the muscle from the surface of the trochanter over which it glides.

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.

Function

• The anterior part acting alone helps to flex and internally rotate the hip.

• The posterior part acting alone helps to extend and externally rotate the hip.

• The anterior and posterior parts working together abduct the hip and stabilize the pelvis in the coronal plane.[1]

Clinical significance

Dysfunction of the gluteus medius or the superior gluteal nerve can potentially be indicated by a positive Trendelenburg's sign.

Additional images
  • Position of gluteus medius muscle (shown in red). Hip bone is shown in semi-transparent.
  • Structures surrounding right hip-joint.
  • Gluteus medius muscle (shown in green text)

See also
This article uses anatomical terminology.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 474 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Schünke, M., Schulte, E., Schumacher, U., Ross, L. M., & Lamperti, E. D. (2006). Thieme atlas of anatomy. Stuttgart: Thieme. page 424
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