Gluteus minimus muscle
Encyclopedia
The gluteus minimus the smallest of the three gluteal muscles
, is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius
.
It is fan-shaped, arising from the outer surface of the ilium
, between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines
, and behind, from the margin of the greater sciatic notch
.
The fibers converge to the deep surface of a radiated aponeurosis, and this ends in a tendon which is inserted into an impression on the anterior border of the greater trochanter
, and gives an expansion to the capsule of the hip joint
. It is also a local stabilizer for the hip.
is interposed between the tendon
and the greater trochanter.
Between the gluteus medius
and gluteus minimus are the deep branches of the superior gluteal vessels and the superior gluteal nerve.
The deep surface of the gluteus minimus is in relation with the reflected tendon of the rectus femoris
and the capsule of the hip joint.
Their anterior fibers, by drawing the greater trochanter forward, rotate the thigh inward, in which action they are also assisted by the Tensor fasciæ latæ.
Additionally, with the hip flexed the gluteus medius and minimus externally rotate the thigh. With the hip extended, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus internally rotate the thigh.
, the superior gemellus
or the outer part of the origin of the vastus lateralis
.
Gluteal muscles
The gluteal muscles are the three muscles that make up the buttocks: the gluteus maximus muscle, gluteus medius muscle and gluteus minimus muscle.-The gluteal muscles:...
, is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius
Gluteus medius muscle
The gluteus medius , one of the three gluteal muscles, is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis....
.
Origin and insertion
Ilium (bone)
The ilium is the uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis, and appears in most vertebrates including mammals and birds, but not bony fish. All reptiles have an ilium except snakes, although some snake species have a tiny bone which is considered to be an ilium.The name comes from the Latin ,...
, between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines
Gluteal lines
Gluteal lines can refer to:* Inferior gluteal line* Anterior gluteal line* Posterior gluteal line...
, and behind, from the margin of the greater sciatic notch
Greater sciatic notch
Above the ischial spine is a large notch, the greater sciatic notch, converted into a foramen by the sacrospinous ligament.It transmits the Piriformis, the superior and inferior gluteal vessels and nerves, the sciatic and posterior femoral cutaneous nerves, the internal pudendal vessels, and the...
.
The fibers converge to the deep surface of a radiated aponeurosis, and this ends in a tendon which is inserted into an impression on the anterior border of the greater trochanter
Greater trochanter
The greater trochanter of the femur is a large, irregular, quadrilateral eminence and a part of the skeletal system.It is directed a little lateralward and backward, and, in the adult, is about 1 cm lower than the head...
, and gives an expansion to the capsule of the hip joint
Hip (anatomy)
In vertebrate anatomy, hip refer to either an anatomical region or a joint.The hip region is located lateral to the gluteal region , inferior to the iliac crest, and overlying the greater trochanter of the femur, or "thigh bone"...
. It is also a local stabilizer for the hip.
Relations
A bursaBursa (anatomy)
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac lined by synovial membrane with an inner capillary layer of slimy fluid . It provides a cushion between bones and tendons and/or muscles around a joint. This helps to reduce friction between the bones and allows free movement...
is interposed between the tendon
Tendon
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
and the greater trochanter.
Between the gluteus medius
Gluteus medius muscle
The gluteus medius , one of the three gluteal muscles, is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis....
and gluteus minimus are the deep branches of the superior gluteal vessels and the superior gluteal nerve.
The deep surface of the gluteus minimus is in relation with the reflected tendon of the rectus femoris
Rectus femoris muscle
The rectus femoris muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles of the human body. The others are the vastus medialis, the vastus intermedius , and the vastus lateralis...
and the capsule of the hip joint.
Action
The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus abduct the thigh, when the limb is extended, and are principally called into action in supporting the body on one limb, in conjunction with the Tensor fasciæ latæ.Their anterior fibers, by drawing the greater trochanter forward, rotate the thigh inward, in which action they are also assisted by the Tensor fasciæ latæ.
Additionally, with the hip flexed the gluteus medius and minimus externally rotate the thigh. With the hip extended, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus internally rotate the thigh.
Variations
The muscle may be divided into an anterior and a posterior part, or it may send slips to the piriformisPiriformis muscle
The piriformis is a muscle in the gluteal region of the lower limb. It was first named by Spigelius, a professor from the University of Padua in the 16th century.- Origin and insertion :...
, the superior gemellus
Superior gemellus muscle
The superior gemellus muscle is a muscle of the human body.The Gemelli are two small muscular fasciculi, accessories to the tendon of the Obturator internus which is received into a groove between them....
or the outer part of the origin of the vastus lateralis
Vastus lateralis muscle
The Vastus lateralis is the largest part of the Quadriceps femoris. It arises by a broad aponeurosis, which is attached to the upper part of the intertrochanteric line, to the anterior and inferior borders of the greater trochanter, to the lateral lip of the gluteal tuberosity, and to the upper...
.