Gluteus Medius

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Gluteus medius	Ilium	Greater trochanter (lateral surface)	Superior gluteal n. L4 - S1	Entire mm.: Abduction, Frontal stabilization Anterior fibers: Flexion, IR Posterior fibers: Extension, ER (when <60° HF), IR (when &gt60° HF)

Origin

Ilium (gluteal surface below the iliac crest between the anterior and posterior gluteal line)¹

Insertion

Greater trochanter of the femur (lateral surface)¹

Innervation

The gluteus maximus muscle is innervated by nerve roots L4, L5, and S1, via the Superior gluteal nerve¹

Action

• Entire muscle: abducts the hip, stabilizes the pelvis in the coronal plane¹
• Anterior fibers: flexion and internal rotation¹
• Posterior fibers: extension and external rotation¹
  • At ≥60° hip flexion, the posterior fibers of the gluteus minimus switch and produce an internal rotation torque².

Overview

Tests & Measures

• External Derotation Test (gluteus medius tendinopathy)

References

1.

Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.

2.

Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.