Gluteal muscles Flashcards
Describe the gluteal region?
Anatomical area located posteriorly to the pelvic girdle, at the proximal end of the femur. The muscles in the region move the lower limb at the hip joint. They can be broadly divided into two groups:
Superficial abductors and extenders- group of large muscles that abduct and extend the femur. Includes glueus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata
Deep lateral rotators- group of smaller muscles that mainly act to laterally rotate the femur. Includes quadratus femoris, piriformis gemellus superior, gemellus inferior and obturator internus.
What is gluteus maximus?
What innervates it?
Largest gluteal muscle, most superficial. Produces buttock shape.
Inferior gluteal nerve
What are gluteus maximus attatchements?
What is its function?
Originates from posterior surface of the ilium, sacrum and coccyx. It slops across the buttocks at a 45 degree angle and insets into the iliotibial tract and the gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
Main extensor of the thigh, assists with lateral rotation. However it is only used when force is required such as running or climbing
What is gluteus medius?
What innervates it?
Fan shaped muscle that lies between glut maximus and minimus
Superior gluteal nerve
What are gluteus medius’ attachments
What are its functions?
Originates from gluteal surface of the ilium and inserts into the lateral surface of the greater trochanter
Abducts and medially rotates lower limb. During locomotion it secures the pelvis preventing pelvic drop of the opposite limb.
What is gluteus minimus?
What innervates it?
Deepest and smallest of the superficial gluteal muscles
Superior gluteal nerve
What are gluteus minimus’ attachments?
What are its functions?
Originated from ilium and converges into a tendon, inserting into the anterior surface of the greater trochanter
Abducts and medially rotates lower limb. During locomotion it secures the pelvis preventing pelvic drop of the opposite limb.
What is tensor fascia lata?
What innervates it?
Small superficial muscle on the edge of the iliac crest.
Superior gluteal nerve
What are gluteus tensor fascia lata’s attachments?
What are its functions?
Originates from anterior iliac crest, attaching to the iliac spine. It inserts into the iliotibial tract which itself attaches to the lateral condyle of the tibia
Assists glut min and med in the abduction and medial rotation of the limbs. Also plays a supportive role in the gait cycle
What occurs when there is damage to the superior gluteal nerve
The glut min and med become paralysed. This leads to instability on the contralateral side and a pelvic tilt to compensate. Trendelenburgs test (standing on one leg) can be used to confirm a superior gluteal nerve palsy.
What are the deep muscles of the gluteal region?
Set of smaller muscles located underneath the gluteus minimus. The general action of these muscles to laterally rotate the limb. They also stabilise the hip joint by pulling the femoral head into the acetabulum of the pelvis. Muscles include the piriformis, obturator internus, gemili and quadratus femoris
What is Piriformis?
What innervates it?
Most superior of the deep muscles
Nerve to the piriormis
What are gluteus piriformis’ attachments?
What are its functions?
Originsates from the anterior surface of the sacrum.Travels inferolaterally, through the greater sciatic foramen to the insert into the greater trochanter of the femur
Lateral rotation and abduction of the leg
What is tensor obturator internus?
What innervates it?
Forms the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity
Nerve to the obturator internus
What are obturator internus attachments?
What are its functions?
Originates from the pubis and ischium at the obturator foramen. Travels through the lesser sciatic foramen and attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur
Lateral rotation and abduction
