The hip intrinsics are small muscles running from the anterior aspect of the sacrum, the ischial tuberosities and spines, to the posterior superior aspect of the femur. They are usually said to be lateral rotators and abductors of the hip and they probably do that to some extent. Their small size, in relation to the gluteal muscles, however, could lead you to believe that they play a role in hip stabilization and hip joint proprioception, sending the CNS information concerning the position of the hip joint.

Certainly, the hip intrinsics can serve as useful landmarks for other hip structures. The piriformis is the most superior of the hip intrinsics and in most cases, the superior gluteal vessels and nerves emerge superior to the piriformis. The inferior gluteal nerves and vessels and the sciatic nerve emerge just inferior to the piriformis. Usually the sciatic nerve lies posterior to the obturator internus, the two gemelli and the quadratus femoris muscles.