Gluteus Minimus – Attachments, Actions & Innervation

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

The gluteus minimus muscle is the smallest of the three gluteal muscles.

image descriptionGluteus Minimus

posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. 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, gluteus maximus removed. 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 with gluteus minimus highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus minimus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region with gluteus minimus highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus minimus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region showing only gluteus minimus
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image descriptionAttachments of Gluteus Minimus: Origin & Insertion

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

Insertion: (distal attachments)
Anterior surface of the greater trochanter of femur.

Did you know that it’s easier to learn muscle anatomy in 3D? These comprehensive 3D videos are a great place to start.

posterior view of the thigh and gluteal region. 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, gluteus maximus removed. 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 with gluteus minimus highlighted. Labelled muscles: gluteus minimus, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
posterior view of thigh and gluteal region origin and insertion of gluteus minimus labelled
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Actions of Gluteus Minimus on the thigh (femur):

a. image descriptionAbducts thigh at the hip.

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

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, 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 5, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh and gluteus minimus visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 7, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region, lateral rotators of the thigh visible. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, piriformis, quadratus femoris, gracilis, 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 minimus, gracilis, semimembranosus, 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 minimus, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, 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 minimus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 11, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, adductor magnus, biceps femoris: short head, biceps femoris: long head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 12, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, adductor magnus, biceps femoris: short head, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 13, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, adductor magnus, gastrocnemius.
Test yourself image 14, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus, adductor magnus.
Test yourself image 15, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Muscles and structures labelled- gluteus minimus.
Test yourself image 16, posterior view of thigh and gluteal region. Orion and insertion of gluteus minimus labelled.
Test yourself image 17, posterior view of bones of thigh and gluteal region.
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