Medical expert of the article
New publications
Muscles of the pelvis (muscles of the pelvic girdle)
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The muscles of the pelvis are divided into two groups - internal and external. The group of internal muscles include iliac-lumbar, internal blocking and pear-shaped. The group of external muscles of the pelvis includes a large, medium and small gluteal muscles: a broad fascia tensor, a square muscle of the thigh and an external blocking muscle.
[Internal group of pelvic muscles
The ilio-lumbar muscle (m.iliopsoas) consists of two muscles - the large lumbar and iliac, which, starting at different places (on the lumbar vertebrae and iliac bone), unite into a single muscle that attaches to the small trochanter of the femur. Both parts of the muscle are involved in the formation of the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity.
The small lumbar muscle (m.psoas minor) is unstable, absent in 40% of cases. It begins on the intervertebral disc and adjacent to it the edges of the XII thoracic and I lumbar vertebrae. The muscle is located on the anterior surface of the large lumbar muscle, fused to the fascia covering it. The thin abdomen of this muscle passes into a long tendon, which is attached to the arcuate line of the ilium and to the ilio-pubic elevation. Part of the bundles of the tendon of this muscle is intertwined in the iliac fascia and in the iliac crest.
The internal blocking muscle (m.obturatorius internus) begins at the edges of the occlusal opening (with the exception of the locking groove), on the inner surface of the obturator's membrane, on the pelvic surface of the ilium (above the occlusion aperture) and on the occlusal fascia. The inner lumbar muscle extends from the small pelvic cavity through a small sciatic foramen, changes direction at an acute angle, overflowing the edge of a small sciatic cut (here there is a sciatic bag of the inner occlusal muscle, bursa ischiadica m.obturatorii interni).
Internal musculoskeletal system
Pear-shaped muscle (m piriformis) begins on the pelvic surface of the cruciate (II-IV sacral vertebra), lateral to the pelvic sacral orifices, exits the pelvic cavity through a large sciatic foramen. Behind the neck of the hip, the muscle passes into a round tendon that attaches to the top of a large trochanter. Under this muscle there is a synovial pear-shaped muscle bag (bursa synovialis musculi piriformis).
External group of pelvic muscles
The external muscles of the pelvis are located in the gluteal region and on the lateral surface of the pelvis. Having relatively large surfaces of the beginning of the muscles on the bones of the pelvic girdle, the bundles of these muscles follow in the direction of their attachment to the femur. The external muscles of the pelvis form 3 layers: superficial, medium and deep.
The superficial layer is made up of the gluteus maximus muscle and the fascia tensor. In the middle layer are the middle gluteus muscle and the square muscle of the thigh. This group includes the vnetal parts of the pear-shaped and inner inhibitory muscles, the upper and lower twin muscles. To the deep layer are the small gluteal and external obturator muscles. All these muscles act on the hip joint.
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 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 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).
The broad fascia strain (m.tensor fasciae latae) begins on the superior anterior iliac spine and the adjacent part of the iliac crest. The muscle is located between the surface and deep plates of the broad fascia. At the level of the border between the upper and middle thirds of the thigh, the muscle passes into the iliac-tibial tract of the broad fascia (tractus iliotibialis), which extends downward and attaches to the lateral condyle of the tibia.
The square muscle of the femur (m. Quadratus femoris) is flat, quadrangular in shape, located between the lower twin muscle at the top and the upper edge of the large muscle that leads down. Begins on the upper part of the outer edge of the ischial tuber, is attached to the upper part of the interstitial crest. Between the anterior surface of the muscle and the large trochanter often there is a synovial bag.
The external obturator muscle (m.obturatorius externus) is triangular in shape, begins on the outer surface of the pubic bone and the leg of the ischium, as well as on the medial two-thirds of the occlusal membrane. The muscle bundles, converging, are directed back, laterally and upward. The tendon of the muscle passes behind the hip joint and is attached to the fossa of the femur and to the joint bag.
