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Gluteus muscles
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The gluteus gluteus muscle (m.gluteus mdximus) is strong, has a coarse tuft structure, prominently protrudes due to its large mass in the gluteal region (regio glutea). This muscle achieves the greatest development in man in connection with the upright. Being superficial, it has a wide beginning on the ilium (linea glutea posterior), on the initial (tendon) part of the muscle that straightens the spine, on the dorsal surface of the sacrum and coccyx, on the sacro-tubercular ligament.
The muscle passes obliquely downward and laterally and is attached to the gluteal tuberosity of the femur. Part of the muscle bundles passes over the large trochanter and is woven into the iliac-tibial tract of the broad fascia. Between the tendon of the muscle and the large trochanter there is a sternum bag of the gluteus maximus (bursa trochanterica musculi glutei maximi), and on the level of the ischial tuber is the sciatic bag of the gluteus maximus (bursa ischiadica musculi glutei maximi).
Function: it can act on the hip joint both with its whole mass and with its separate parts. Cutting the whole mass, the gluteus maximus extends the thigh (at the same time turns it outward). The anteroposterior muscle bundles retract the femur, strain the iliac-tibial tract of the broad fascia, and promote the retention of the knee joint in the extended position. Back muscles bunches lead the thigh, simultaneously turn it outward. With a fixed lower limb, the muscle unbends the pelvis, and with it the trunk, holding it. In an upright position on the femoral head (gives the body a military posture).
Innervation: the lower gluteal nerve (LV-SII).
Blood supply: lower and upper gluteal arteries, medial artery, enveloping the femur.
The middle gluteal muscle (m.gluteus medius) begins on the gluteal surface of the ilium, between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines, on the broad fascia. The muscle is directed downward, passes into a thick tendon, which attaches to the top and the outer surface of a large trochanter.
The posterior fascicles of the muscle are located under the large gluteus muscle. Between the tendon of the middle gluteus muscle and the large trochanter there is a sternum bag of the middle gluteus muscle (bursa trochanterica musculi glutei medii).
Function: withdraws the hip, the front fascicles rotate the hip to the inside, the back - to the outside. With a fixed lower limb, together with a small gluteus muscle, keeps the pelvis and trunk in an upright position.
Innervation: the lower gluteal nerve (LIV-SI).
Blood supply: lower gluteal artery, lateral artery, enveloping the femur.
The small buttock muscle (m.gluteus minimus) is located under the middle gluteus muscle. It begins on the outer surface of the iliac wing between the anterior and lower gluteal lines, along the edge of the large sciatic notch. It is attached to the anterolateral surface of the large trochanter; part of the bundles is woven into the capsule of the hip joint. Between the tendon of the muscle and the large trochanter there is a sternum bag of the small gluteus muscle (bursa trochanterica musculi glutei minimi).
Function: removes the hip, the front fascicles are involved in turning the thigh to the inside, and the rear ones are outside.
Innervation: the upper gluteal nerve (LIV-SI).
Blood supply: the upper gluteal artery, the lateral artery, enveloping the femur.
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