Gluteus Medius
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The gluteus medius is one of three gluteal muscles (minimus, medius and maximus). It is a superficial, fan shaped and broad muscle that lies in the posterolateral aspect of the pelvis, inferior to the iliac crest.[1] The gluteus medius has a broad origin on the external (gluteal) ilium and its tendon inserts into the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter.[2] The muscle is overlapped by the gluteus maximus and covered with a strong layer of fascia.[1]
Origin: External (gluteal) surface of ilium between anterior and posterior gluteal lines.[1] Reaches from iliac crest superiorly and as far as the sciatic notch inferiorly.[1] Superficial to gluteus maximus.[2]
Insertion: Lateral surface of greater trochanter.[2] A bursa seperates the tendon from the greater trochanter. [3] The SGN divides into several branches, supplying both the gluteus medius and minimus as it passes horizontally between them both. [4] The nerve terminates where it supplies the tensor facsia latae. [4]
The area of skin covering the gluteus medius is supplied by dermatome at levels L1 & L2.[1]
Blood Supply: Superior gluteal artery and superior gluteal vein.[2] Follow the same path as the superior gluteal nerve (See above).
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Palpation[edit | edit source]
Function[edit | edit source]
Clinical Relevance[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Palastanga N, Field D, Soames R. Anatomy and Human Movement, Structure and Function. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Butterworth Heinemann; 2002.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell, AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 2010.
- ↑ fckLRfckLRNerve Innervation: The gluteus medius is supplied by the Superior Gluteal Nerve (SGN). The SGN forms from the sacral plexus, at root levels L4, L5 and S1. The SGN leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen. <ref name="Diop et al, 2002">Diop M, Parratte B, Tatu L, Vuillier F, Faure A, Monnier G. Anatomical bases of superior gluteal nerve entrapment syndrome in the piriformis foramen. Surg Radiol Anat 2002; 24: 155-9.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kenny P, O’Brien CP, Synnott K, Walsh MG. Damage to the superior gluteal nerve after two different approaches to the hip. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1999; 81: 979-81.
