Gluteal Muscles

Question 1

Where is the gluteal region located?

Answer 1

Posterior to the pelvic girdle at the proximal end of the femur

Question 2

The gluteal region lies posterior to the ____________ __________ and at the proximal end of the ___________

Answer 2

Pelvic girdle

Femur

Question 3

The muscles in the gluteal region move…

Answer 3

The lower limb at the hip joint

Question 4

The muscles of the gluteal region can be divided into which 2 groups?

Answer 4

Superficial abductor and extenders

Deep lateral rotators

Question 5

The superficial muscles of the gluteal region largely act to…

Answer 5

Abduct and extend the femur

Question 6

The deep muscles of the gluteal region largely act to…

Answer 6

Laterally rotate the femur

Question 7

How many superficial abductor and extender muscles are there in the gluteal region?

How many deep lateral rotator muscles are there in the gluteal region?

Answer 7

4

5

Question 8

Name the 4 superficial abductor and extender muscles of the gluteal region

Answer 8

Gluteus maximus
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Tensor fascia lata

Question 9

Name the 5 deep lateral rotator muscles of the gluteal region

Answer 9

Quadratus femoris 
Piriformis 
Gemellus superior 
Gemellus inferior 
Obturator internus

Question 10

Which is the most superficial of all the gluteal muscles?

Answer 10

Gluteus maximus

Question 11

Where does the gluteus maximus originate and attach?

Answer 11

Originates - posterior surface of the ilium, sacrum and coccyx

Attaches - iliotibial tract and gluteal tuberosity of the femur

Question 12

What is the main action of the gluteus maximus?

Answer 12

Main extensor of the thigh

Question 13

Which nerve innervates the gluteus maximus?

Answer 13

Inferior gluteal nerve

Question 14

Where does the gluteus medius lie?

Answer 14

Between the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus

Question 15

Where does the gluteus medius originate and attach?

Answer 15

Originates - posterior (gluteal) surface of the ilium

Attaches - lateral surface of the greater trochanter

Question 16

What are the actions of the gluteus medius?

Answer 16

Abducts and medially rotates the lower limb

During movement, secures the pelvis, preventing pelvic drop of opposite limb

Question 17

Which nerve innervates the gluteus medius?

Answer 17

Superior gluteal nerve

Question 18

Which is the deepest of all the superficial gluteal muscles?

Answer 18

Gluteus minimus

Question 19

Where does the gluteus minimus originate and attach?

Answer 19

Originates - ilium

Inserts - anterior side of the greater trochanter

Question 20

What are the actions of the gluteus minimus?

Answer 20

Similar to gluteus medius

Abducts and medially rotates the lower limb

During movement, secures the pelvis preventing pelvic drop of the opposite limb

Question 21

Which nerve innervates the gluteus minimus?

Answer 21

Superior gluteal nerve

Question 22

Where does the tensor fascia lata lie in relation to the iliac crest?

Answer 22

Towards its anterior edge

Question 23

Where does the tensor fascia lata originate and attach?

Answer 23

Originates - anterior iliac crest

Inserts - iliotibial tract

Question 24

What is the function of the tensor fascia lata (apart from tightening the fascia lata)?

Answer 24

Abducts and medially rotates the lower limb

Question 25

Which nerve innervates the tensor fascia lata?

Answer 25

Superior gluteal nerve

Question 26

What clinical sign can be seen as a result of damage to the superior gluteal nerve?

Answer 26

Trendelenburg sign - indicating gluteal muscle weakness

Question 27

What test is carried out to look for the Trendelenburg sign?

Answer 27

Patient asked to stand on one leg unassisted (for both legs)

Question 28

What will be seen in case of a positive result when testing for the Trendelenburg sign? Give an example

Answer 28

Pelvic drop in the unsupported leg (leg of the ground) Right gluteal muscles weak --> Pelvic drop in left leg - So when standing on right leg (pelvic drop) will be seen

Question 29

How can pelvic drop be recognised?

Answer 29

By observing the level of the iliac crests on both sides

Question 30

Where are the deep gluteal muscles located?

Answer 30

Underneath the gluteus minimus

Question 31

What is the general action of the deep gluteal muscles? (2)

Answer 31

Laterally rotate the lower limb Stabilise the hip joint

Question 32

How do the deep gluteal muscles help in the stabilisation of the hip joint?

Answer 32

They pull the femoral head into the acetabulum of the pelvis

Question 33

Which is the most superior of the deep gluteal muscles?

Answer 33

The piriformis

Question 34

Where does the piriformis originate and insert?

Answer 34

Originates - anterior surface of the sacrum Inserts - greater trochanter of the femur

Question 35

What does the piriformis travel through to insert into the greater trochanter of the femur?

Answer 35

Greater sciatic foramen

Question 36

What are the actions of the piriformis?

Answer 36

Lateral rotation and abduction

Question 37

What nerve innervates the piriformis?

Answer 37

Nerve to piriformis

Question 38

The obturator internus forms the ______________ walls of the pelvic cavity

Answer 38

Lateral

Question 39

Where does the obturator internus originate and attach?

Answer 39

Originates - pubis and ischium at the obturator foramen Attaches - greater trochanter of the femur

Question 40

What does the obturator internus travel through to insert into the greater trochanter of the femur?

Answer 40

Lesser sciatic foramen

Question 41

What is the function of the obturator internus?

Answer 41

Laterally rotates and abducts

Question 42

What nerve innervates the obturator internus?

Answer 42

Nerve to obturator internus

Question 43

What separates the two gemelli muscles?

Answer 43

Obturator internus tendon

Question 44

Where do the superior gemellus and inferior gemellus each originate and attach?

Answer 44

SG - originates - ischial spine IG - originates - ischial tuberosity Attach - BOTH - greater trochanter of the femur

Question 45

What is the function of the gemelli?

Answer 45

Lateral rotation and abduction

Question 46

Which nerve innervates the superior gemellus?

Answer 46

Nerve to obturator internus

Question 47

Which nerve innervates the inferior gemellus?

Answer 47

Nerve to quadratus femoris

Question 48

Which is the most inferior of all the deep gluteal muscles?

Answer 48

Quadratus femoris

Question 49

Where does the quadratus femoris originate and attach?

Answer 49

Originates - lateral side of the ischial tuberosity Attaches - quadrate tuberosity on the intertrochanteric crest

Question 50

What is the action of the quadratus femoris?

Answer 50

Lateral rotation

Question 51

Which nerve innervates the quadratus femoris?

Answer 51

Nerve to quadratus femoris

Question 52

Which muscle is a particularly important landmark of the gluteal region?

Answer 52

Piriformis

Question 53

List the deep gluteal muscles from most superior to inferior

Answer 53

``` Piriformis Superior gemellus Obturator internus Inferior gemellus Quadratus femoris ```

Question 54

The piriformis travels through the...

Answer 54

Greater sciatic foramen

Question 55

What is the anatomical importance of the piriformis?

Answer 55

As it travels through the greater sciatic foramen it divides the gluteal region into an inferior and superior part - determining the names of the vessels/nerves that supply each area

Question 56

The superior gluteal nerve and vessels emerge into the gluteal region superiorly to the _____________

Answer 56

Piriformis

Question 57

As well as effectively dividing the gluteal region in two, the piriformis can be used to locate the...

Answer 57

Sciatic nerve

Question 58

Where does the sciatic nerve enter the gluteal region? Is it visible?

Answer 58

Directly inferior to the piriformis Yes, as a flat band - approx 2cm wide