Gluteus Medius – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The gluteus medius muscle is one of the posterior hip muscles that form the buttocks.

image descriptionGluteus Medius

posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus medius highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus medius highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region showing only gluteus medius
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image descriptionAttachments of Gluteus Medius: Origin & Insertion

Origin: (proximal attachments)
Outer surface of ilium, between the posterior and anterior gluteal lines.

Insertion: (distal attachments)
Lateral and superior surfaces of the greater trochanter of femur.

 

posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus medius highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region showing only gluteus medius
Posterior view of thigh and gluteal region showing the origin and insertion of the gluteus medius muscle.
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Actions of Gluteus Medius on the thigh (femur):

a. image descriptionAbducts thigh at the hip.

b. Anterior fibers image descriptionMedially Rotate thigh at the hip.

c. Posterior fibers image descriptionLaterally Rotate thigh at the hip.

Memorize and retain your knowledge on gluteus medius anatomy with this handy lower limb muscle anatomy reference chart!

Nerve to Muscle and its Spinal Segment:

a. Superior gluteal nerve (L5, S1).

An Overview of the Posterior Muscles of the Thigh:

Test yourself image 1, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region showing all superficial muscles with no labels.
Test yourself image 2, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, all superficial muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 3, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus maximus, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 4, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, piriformis, gracilis, iliotibial tract (band), semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 5, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 6, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 7, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 8, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medium, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 9, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, adductor magnus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 10, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, adductor magnus, biceps femoris: short head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 11, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, adductor magnus, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 12, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus medius, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 13, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Gluteus medius labelled.
Test yourself image 14, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Origin and insertion of gluteus medius labelled.
Test yourself image 15, posterior view of skeleton of thigh and gluteal region. No labels.
Test yourself while observing the Gluteus Medius muscle
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