Gluteal Region

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Terminology in italics is not identified by the VH Dissector

• Gluteus Maximus
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. External aspect of ilium, sacrotuberous ligament, dorsal surface of sacrum and coccyx
    • 2. IT Band, gluteal tuberosity on femur
  • Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, & S2)
  • Arterial Supply: Superior and inferior gluteal arteries
  • Action: Extensor and Lateral rotator of thigh
• Gluteus Medius
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. External surface of ilium (deep to gluteus maximus)
    • 2. Greater trochanter of femur
  • Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Superior gluteal artery
  • Action: Abduction of the thigh, medial rotation (keeps pelvis level when weight bearing)
• Gluteus Minimus
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. External surface of ilium (deep to gluteus medius)
    • 2. Greater trochanter
  • Innervation: Superior gluteal nerve (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Superior gluteal artery
  • Action: Abduction, medial rotation of thigh

• The collective action of the following 4 muscles is to: laterally rotate extended hip & abduct flexed hip

• Piriformis
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. Anterior Sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament
    • 2. Greater trochanter of femur
  • Innervation: Branches of ventral rami of S1 & S2
  • Arterial Supply: Superior and inferior gluteal arteries
  • Action: Lateral rotation (thigh) when thigh extended & abduct when thigh flexed
• Obturator Internus
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. Internal surface of obturator foramen
    • 2. Greater trochanter of femur
  • Innervation: Nerve to obturator internus (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Inferior gluteal artery
  • Action: Lateral rotation (thigh) when thigh extended & abduct when thigh flexed
• Superior Gemellus
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. Ischial spine, ischial tuberosity
    • 2. Tendon of obturator internus muscle to greater trochanter
  • Innervation: Nerve to obturator internus (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Inferior gluteal artery
  • Action: Lateral rotation (thigh) when thigh extended & abduct when thigh flexed
• Inferior Gemellus
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. Ischial tuberosity, ischial spine
    • 2. Tendon of obturator internus muscle to greater trochanter
  • Innervation: Nerve to quadratus femoris (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Inferior gluteal artery
  • Action: Lateral rotation (thigh) when thigh extended & abduct when thigh flexed
• Quadratus Femoris
  • Bony Attachments:
    • 1. Ischial tuberosity
    • 2. Intertrochanteric crest of femur (quadrate tubercle)
  • Innervation: Nerve to quadratus femoris (L5 & S1)
  • Arterial Supply: Medial femoral circumflex artery
  • Action: Laterally rotate the hip
• External Rotators - work to stabilize femoral head in the acetabulum:
  • Piriformis
  • Obturator Internus
  • Obturator Externus
  • Superior Gemelli
  • Inferior Gemelli
  • Quadratus Femoris