Superior Gemellus Muscle

Authors
Affiliations

Nate 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

Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles
Figure 2: Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral region
  • Ch57 piriformis, obturator internus, gemellus, obturator externus, quadratus femoris muscles
Table 1 
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Origin

Ischial spine

Insertion

Jointly with obturator internus tendon (medial surface, greater trochanter)

Innervation

Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1)

Action

Hip External rotation and extension of the hip joint (also active in abduction, depending on the joint’s position)

Overview

“The gemellus superior and inferior (from the Latin root geminus, meaning twins) are two, small, nearly identically sized muscles with proximal attachments on either side of the lesser sciatic notch (see Fig. 12.43). Each muscle blends in with the central tendon of the obturator internus for a common attachment to the femur. Immediately below the gemellus inferior is the quadratus femoris muscle. This flat muscle arises from the external side of the ischial tuberosity and inserts on the posterior side of the proximal femur. In cases of abnormal bony morphology, this muscle may become impinged between the lesser trochanter and ischium, typically during motions that involve the extremes of external rotation.212 If chronic and repetitive, this clinically termed “ischiofemoral impingement” may cause groin and buttock pain along with abnormal MR signaling from the qua­ dratus femoris muscle”

Palpation

Due to the common insertion of the inferior gemellus, obturator internus, and superior gemellus it is difficult to differentiate between these structures during palpation. Instead, I just palpate and treat these as a group.

Dysfunction

  • Gemelli-obturator internus syndrome

References

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Openstax Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
3.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
5.
Aung HH, Sakamoto H, Akita K, Sato T. Anatomical study of the obturator internus, gemelli and quadratus femoris muscles with special reference to their innervation. The Anatomical Record. 2001;263(1):41-52. doi:10.1002/ar.1075
6.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.

Citation

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