gluteus maximus muscle
The gluteus maximus (plural: glutei maximi) is the largest muscle in the gluteal region and overlies most of the other gluteal muscles.
Summary
- origin
- gluteal surface of the ilium behind the posterior gluteal line
- the lumbar fascia
- lateral mass of sacrum
- sacrotuberous ligament
- insertion: gluteal tuberosity of the femur and iliotibial tract
- gross anatomy:
- thick flat sheet of muscle sloping from the pelvis down across the buttock
- fan-shaped muscle with a posterior third lying deep to the posterior recess of the ischioanal fossa
- action
- powerful extensor of flexed femur at hip joint
- lateral stabilizer of hip joint
- lateral stabilizer of the extended knee joint
- by tightening the iliotibial tract
- lateral rotator of the thigh
- abduction at the hip (upper fibers)
- arterial supply: superior and inferior gluteal arteries
- innervation: inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2)
bursa:- between the muscle and ischial tuberosity (ischiogluteal bursa)
- between the muscle and greater trochanter (trochanteric bursa)
- between the muscle and upper part of the vastus lateralis (gluteofemoral bursa)
- antagonist
- variants
- fusion of gluteus maximus with tensor fascia latae
- additional slip of muscular attachment to the gluteus maximus from the ischial tuberosity