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Mid gluteal muscle
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Middle gluteus muscle - m. gluteus medius
It is the most powerful abductor of the hip. The anterior group of its bundles rotates the hip slightly inward. The muscle is mainly responsible for stabilizing the pelvis when transferring body weight to one leg.
Origin: outer surface of the iliac wing between the Linea glutea anterior, posterior and Labium externum Cristae iliacae
Attachment: Trochanter major.
Innervation: spinal nerves L5-S1 - sacral plexus - n.gluteus superior
Trigger zones are most often located near the iliac crest in the posterior bundles of the muscle adjacent to the sacroiliac joint, under the iliac crest at the level of its middle, under the iliac crest, but closer to the anterior ilium. All trigger zones are examined with the patient lying on the healthy side. A pillow is placed between the knees to prevent stretching of the overly sensitive trigger zones in this muscle. The most posterior trigger zones are examined by planar palpation. The examiner moves the fingertip perpendicularly to the upper anterior border of the gluteus maximus muscle. In the second and third cases, the trigger zones are covered only by skin and subcutaneous tissue. To find them, the muscle fibers are rolled between the fingertip and the underlying bone. The finger moves across the muscle fibers. Local spasmodic responses are difficult to see, but can be detected by palpation.
Referred pain. Trigger points in the gluteus medius are an often overlooked source of back pain. Pain caused by the gluteus medius trigger points is usually localized adjacent to their location along the iliac crest; referred pain is located more laterally and in the gluteus medius. It can also radiate to the upper thigh posteriorly and laterally. Referred pain along the iliac crest (bilaterally in the lower lumbar region and over the sacrum).
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