Lower Limb Muscles:
Gluteal region (superficial group)
Gluteus maximus
Origin: 1. Iliac crest 2. Sacrum 3. Coccyx 4. Sacrotuberous ligament (off the inferior corner of the sacrum) and the
fascia overing the gluteus medius
Insertion: Iliotibial band/tract (can’t palpate) and gluteal tuberosity of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Extension of thigh @ hip joint MAIN
2. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (upper 1/3)
3. Adduction of thigh @ hip joint (lower 2/3)
4. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint MAIN
5. Helps lock knee in extension (IT band)
Nerve: Inferior gluteal nerve
Gluteus medius
Origin: External surface of ilium between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines
Insertion: Lateral surface of greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (entire muscle) MAIN
2. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
4. Extension of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
5. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Gluteus minimus
Origin: Gluteal surface of ilium; between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines
Insertion: Anterior surface of greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (entire muscle)
2. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
4. Extension of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
5. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Tensor fascia lata/Tensor fasciae latae
Origin: Anterior iliac crest
Insertion: Tibia (Gerdy’s tubercle) via ITB (ITT) (1/3 of the way down the thigh)
Function: (5) 1. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint
2. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint
4. Lateral rotation of leg @ knee joint
5. Helps lock knee in extension (IT band)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Gluteal region (deep)
Piriformis
Origin: Anterior sacrum
Insertion: Superior border of the greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (2) 1. Horizontal abduction of thigh @ hip joint
2. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (when hip is extended) MAIN
Nerve: Nerve to piriformis (from sacral plexus)
Gluteal region (superficial group)
Gluteus maximus
Origin: 1. Iliac crest 2. Sacrum 3. Coccyx 4. Sacrotuberous ligament (off the inferior corner of the sacrum) and the
fascia overing the gluteus medius
Insertion: Iliotibial band/tract (can’t palpate) and gluteal tuberosity of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Extension of thigh @ hip joint MAIN
2. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (upper 1/3)
3. Adduction of thigh @ hip joint (lower 2/3)
4. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint MAIN
5. Helps lock knee in extension (IT band)
Nerve: Inferior gluteal nerve
Gluteus medius
Origin: External surface of ilium between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines
Insertion: Lateral surface of greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (entire muscle) MAIN
2. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
4. Extension of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
5. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Gluteus minimus
Origin: Gluteal surface of ilium; between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines
Insertion: Anterior surface of greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (5) 1. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint (entire muscle)
2. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint (anterior fibers)
4. Extension of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
5. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (posterior fibers)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Tensor fascia lata/Tensor fasciae latae
Origin: Anterior iliac crest
Insertion: Tibia (Gerdy’s tubercle) via ITB (ITT) (1/3 of the way down the thigh)
Function: (5) 1. Flexion of thigh @ hip joint
2. Abduction of thigh @ hip joint
3. Medial rotation of thigh @ hip joint
4. Lateral rotation of leg @ knee joint
5. Helps lock knee in extension (IT band)
Nerve: Superior gluteal nerve
Gluteal region (deep)
Piriformis
Origin: Anterior sacrum
Insertion: Superior border of the greater trochanter of the femur
Function: (2) 1. Horizontal abduction of thigh @ hip joint
2. Lateral rotation of thigh @ hip joint (when hip is extended) MAIN
Nerve: Nerve to piriformis (from sacral plexus)
