MUSCLES OF THE POSTERIOR HIP Flashcards
a muscle which lies along the lateral border of the femur, between two layers of the lateral aspect of the fascia lata (iliotibial tract) the muscle forms a superficial elevation below and lateral to the iliac crest
Tensor Fascia Lata
Tensor Fascia Lata origin:
crest of the ilium
Tensor Fascia Lata insertion:
iliotibial tract
Tensor Fascia Lata actions:
Flexes, ABducts and medially rotates the femur Helps to stabilize the knee joint
Tensor Fascia Lata nerve supply:
superior gluteal (L4, L5, S1)
this is the largest and most superficial muscles of the posterior hip region
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this muscle is noticeable in humans for its great bulk, which together with a variable amount of adipose
tissue forms the buttocks
this muscle is the largest muscle by weight in the human body and is associated with the assumption of
the erect posture and bipedal locomotion
Gluteus Maximus
there are a number of bursae that separate the muscle from bone and they are collectively known as the…..**
gluteal bursae
separates the superior part of the gluteus maximus from the greater trochanter**
trochanteric bursae
separates the inferior part of the gluteus maximus from the ischial tuberosity**
ischial bursae
Gluteus Maximus origin:
posterior gluteal line/ilium
sacrum and coccyx
posterior ligaments of the sacroiliac joint
Gluteus Maximus insertion:
gluteal tuberosity/femur
iliotibial tract
Gluteus Maximus actions:
Extends and laterally rotates the femur
Helps to stabilize the pevic bone
Stabilizes the knee joint
Gluteus Maximus nerve supply:**
inferior gluteal (L5, S1, S2)
patients to have difficulty getting from a sitting to standing position
(patients may have to actively push themselves to the standing position), straightening from a bending
position, walking uphill or up stairs
atrophy of the muscle does not seriously affect walking on level ground or when standing still
Weakness of the Gluteus Maximus
a muscle which is partly deep to the gluteus maximus, but its superior portion remains superficial
Gluteus Medius
Gluteus Medius origin:
external surface/ilium
Gluteus Medius insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Gluteus Medius actions:
aBducts the femur
Gluteus Medius nerve supply:**
superior gluteal (L4,L5,S1)
the smallest of the gluteal muscles and deep to the gluteus medius
Gluteus Minimus
Gluteus Minimus origin:
external surface/ilium
Gluteus Minimus insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Gluteus Minimus actions:
Abducts your femur
Medially rotates the femur
Helps to keep the pelvic bone steady when the foot on the opposite side is raised off the ground. i.e. right gluteus medius and minimus stabilize pelvic bone when left foot is raised off the ground
Gluteus Minimus nerve supply:**
superior gluteal (L4,L5,S1)
this is the simple test which is used if one suspects atrophy and weakness of the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.**
Trendelenburg Test
if the pelvis and gluteal fold will drop on the side that the foot is raised off the ground and this would be a…..
positive Trendelenburg Test
when the muscles are weak, the pelvis will drop on the unaffected side when the foot is raised off of the
ground
a type of abnormal locomotion due to atrophy and weakness of the gluteus medius and minimus
with this type of locomotion, there is displacement of the body (falling of the pelvis) on the unaffected
side
Gluteal Gait/Trendelenburg Gait
this results in the vertebral column deviating toward the side where the pelvis is low, giving rise to what is
known as a……..
“C” curve of the column
weakness of the right gluteus medius and minimus will give rise to a left “C” curve of the vertebral
column with the opening of the “C” toward the side where the muscle is weak
name is for the Latin word for pear shaped
a muscle which originates within the pelvic cavity and emerges through the greater sciatic notch
it is deep to the gluteus maximus and parallel to the gluteus medius
Piriformis
Piriformis action:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
Piriformis origin:
anterior surface of the sacrum (within the pelvic cavity)
Piriformis insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Piriformis nerve supply:
S1 and S2
a common cause of pain in the gluteal region due to compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis
muscle (sciatica)**
Piriformis Muscle Syndrome
this may cause deep pain in the buttock region, which may refer along the course of the sciatic nerve
(posterior thigh and leg)
common in sports which require extensive lateral rotation of the femur
condition is diagnosed primarily on the basis of symptoms, since there are no tests that accurately
confirm the diagnosis
stretching and correcting biomechanical abnormalities of the lower extremity and vertebral column may
help the condition
a small muscle which is situated between the piriformis and the obturator internus muscles and deep to
the gluteus maximus
its tendon of insertion fuses with that of the obturator internus and inferior gemellus muscles
Superior Gemellus
Superior Gemellus origin:
spine/ischium
Superior Gemellus insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Superior Gemellus nerve supply:
L4,L5,S1,S2
Superior Gemellus action:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
a small muscle which takes its origin within the pelvic cavity and whose tendon emerges through the
lesser sciatic notch
it is situated between the two gemellus muscles
it derives its name from its origin on the internal aspect of the membrane which covers the obturator
foramen
Obturator Internus
Obturator Internus origin:
internal surface of the obturator membrane
Obturator Internus insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Obturator Internus nerve supply:
L4,L5,S1,S2
Obturator Internus action:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
a muscle situated between the obturator internus and the quadratus femoris
Inferior Gemellus
Inferior Gemellus origin:
tuberosity/ischium
Inferior Gemellus insertion:
greater trochanter/femur
Inferior Gemellus nerve supply:
L4,L5,S1,S2
Inferior Gemellus action:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
this muscle derives its names from its origin on the external surface of the obturator foramen
the muscle is found deep to the gemellus inferior and quadratus femoris
Obturator Externus
Obturator Externus origin:
external surface of the obturator membrane
Obturator Externus insertion:
trochanteric fossa/femur
Obturator Externus nerve supply:
obturator (L2,L3,L4)
Obturator Externus actions:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
a quadrant shaped muscle which is found inferior to the inferior gemellus
Quadratus Femoris
Quadratus Femoris origin:
tuberosity/ischium
Quadratus Femoris insertion:
quadrate tubercle/femur
Quadratus Femoris nerve supply:
L4,L5, S1,S2
Quadratus Femoris actions:
lateral/outward rotation of the femur
Important in the control of the body’s balance and posture.
This position helps to achieve better balance and posture
Importance of Lateral Rotation of the Femur
