GENERAL INFORMATION
The gluteal muscles are a group of muscles located in the buttocks region. They play a crucial role in stabilizing the pelvis, extending the hip joint, and providing support during activities such as standing, walking, running, and climbing stairs.
ORIGIN
These muscles have various origins:
- Gluteus maximus: Originates from the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx.
- Gluteus medius: Originates from the outer surface of the ilium.
- Gluteus minimus: Originates from the outer surface of the ilium.
- Tensor fasciae latae: Originates from the iliac crest.
INSERTION POINT
The gluteal muscles have various insertion points:
- Gluteus maximus: Inserts into the iliotibial tract and the gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
- Gluteus medius: Inserts into the lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.
- Gluteus minimus: Inserts into the anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.
- Tensor fasciae latae Inserts into the iliotibial tract.
MAJOR ARTERIES
These muscles receive their blood supply from branches of the internal iliac artery, including the superior and inferior gluteal arteries.
NEURAL INNERVATION
These muscles are innervated by the gluteal nerves, which originate from the sacral plexus (specifically, the ventral rami of L4-S2).
TRIGGER POINT
Trigger points in these muscles can cause referred pain in the buttocks and down the back of the leg.
CONCENTRIC FUNCTION
During contraction, the gluteal muscles act to extend and laterally rotate the hip joint.
ECCENTRIC FUNCTION
The eccentric function of these muscles occurs during controlled lengthening, such as during the lowering phase of a squat or walking downhill.
ISOMETRIC FUNCTION
These muscles can contract isometrically to stabilise the pelvis and maintain hip joint stability.
RELATED MUSCLE SCIENTIFIC NAMES
- Gluteus maximus: The largest gluteal muscle, responsible for hip extension, lateral rotation, and abduction.
- Gluteus medius: Positioned on the outer surface of the pelvis, it assists in hip abduction and medial rotation.
- Gluteus minimus: The smallest of the gluteal muscles, it works with the gluteus medius in hip abduction and medial rotation.
- Tensor fasciae latae: A small muscle that assists in hip abduction, medial rotation, and stabilising the knee through the iliotibial tract.
ANTAGONIST MUSCLES
- Hip flexor muscles (e.g., iliopsoas): These muscles flex the hip, opposing the extension action of the gluteals.
- Quadriceps femoris (for hip extension): The quadriceps muscles also assist in flexing the hip, opposing the gluteals during extension.
- Hamstrings (for hip extension and knee flexion): These muscles work opposite to the gluteals in hip extension and knee flexion.
COMMON INJURIES
- Strains or tears of the gluteal muscles: Overstretching or excessive force causes damage to muscle fibres, leading to pain and weakness.
- Piriformis syndrome: Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, causing pain in the buttocks and down the leg.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, such as trochanteric bursitis, leads to pain and swelling around the hip joint.
EXERCISES
- Squats and lunges: Effective for gluteal muscle activation.
- Hip thrusts and bridges: Target the gluteus maximus.
- Side-lying leg lifts: Focus on the gluteus medius and minimus.
- Clamshells: Specifically target the gluteus medius.
- Deadlifts: Strengthen the gluteal muscles along with the lower back and hamstrings.
STRETCHES
- Pigeon pose: Stretches the gluteal muscles.
- Standing quadriceps stretch: Stretches the hip flexors.
- Figure-four stretch: Stretches the gluteal muscles.
- Seated forward fold: Stretches the hamstrings and gluteal muscles.
- Hip flexor stretch: Helps to relieve tension in the hip flexors, balancing the gluteal muscles’ activity.