Gluteus Medius Muscle

Origin

The gluteus medius muscle originates from the area of the gluteal surface of ilium that is located between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines.

Insertion

The fibers of the gluteus medius muscle travel inferolaterally and insert, via a flat tendon, onto the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur.

Key Features & Anatomical Relations

The gluteus medius muscle is one of the superficial gluteal muscles. It is a broad, thick, convergent type of skeletal muscle.

It is located:

- superficial to the ilium, the gluteus minimus muscle, and the trochanteric bursa of gluteus medius muscle;

- deep to the gluteus maximus and tensor fasciae latae muscles, and the iliotibial tract;

- superior to the piriformis muscle.

Actions & Testing

The gluteus medius muscle is involved in multiple actions:

- medially rotates the thigh at the hip joint;

- abducts the thigh at the hip joint;

- helps steady the pelvis when the opposite foot is raised off the ground during walking and running.

The gluteus medius muscle can be tested by medially rotating the thigh at the hip joint against resistance while lying in the supine position with both the hip and knee joints flexed, during which it can be palpated (Standring, 2016).

List of Clinical Correlates

- Trendelenburg sign

References

Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edn.: Elsevier Limited.