|
|
| Muscle | Origin | Insertion | Action | Nerve |
| gluteus maximus | posterior iliac crest, sacrum & coccyx & sacrotuberous ligament | iliotibial band (ITB) & gluteal tuberosity of femur | extension of thigh (at hip); lateral rotation of thigh; upper fibers assist abduction of thigh, lower fiber assist in adduction; posterior pelvic tilt (at hip joint); fibers of IT band stabilize a fully extended knee | inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2) |
| gluteus medius | outer ilium (between anterior & posterior gluteal lines) | greater trochanter (superior & lateral surface) | abduction of thigh (at hip joint); flexion & medial rotation of thigh (anterior fibers); lateral rotation & extension of thigh (posterior fibers); stabilizes pelvis & prevents free limb from sagging during gait | superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) |
| gluteus minimus | outer ilium (between anterior & inferior gluteal lines) | greater trochanter (anterior surface) | abduction of thigh (at hip joint); medial rotation & flexion of thigh (anterior fibers); lateral rotation & extension (posterior fibers); stabilizes pelvis & prevents free limb from dropping during gait | superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) |
| inferior gemellus | ischial tuberosity (superior aspect) | greater trochanter (medial surface & intertrochanteric crest) | lateral rotation of femur; abduction of thigh when hip is flexed | nerve to quadratus femoris (L5, S1) |
| obturator externus | obturator foramen & obturator membrane (external surface) | trochanteric fossa of femur | lateral rotation of thigh (at hip joint); adduction of thigh (weak) | obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4) |
| obturator internus | internal aspect of obturator foramen & obturator membrane | greater trochanter (medial aspect) | lateral rotation of femur; abduction of thigh when hip is flexed | nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2) |
| piriformis | anterior sacrum (occasionally sacrotuberous ligament) | greater trochanter (superiomedial surface) | lateral rotation of thigh (at hip joint); abduction of flexed thigh | nerve to piriformis (L5, S1, S2) |
| quadratus femoris | ischial tuberosity (lateral aspect) | intertrochanteric crest of femur | lateral rotation of thigh (at hip joint); adduction of thigh (weak) | nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1) |
| superior gemellus | ischial spine | greater trochanter (medial surface) | lateral rotation of femur; abduction of thigh when hip is flexed | nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2) |