Lower limb
Gluteus medius
Musculus gluteus medius
- Origin
- Ilium between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines
- Insertion
- Lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur
- Function
- Abduction of the hip and stabilization of the pelvis during single-leg stance phase of gait
- Innervation
- Superior gluteal nerve, L4-S1
- Movement & chain
- The anterior fibers also produce internal rotation, the posterior fibers external rotation of the hip. Essential for keeping the pelvis level during walking.
- Palpation
- Readily palpable just below the iliac crest and above the greater trochanter during active abduction in side-lying.
- Clinical
- Insufficiency produces a positive Trendelenburg sign: the pelvis drops on the unsupported side during single-leg stance on the affected leg.
- Segmental innervation
- L4-S1, tested with resisted hip abduction in side-lying.
- In clinical practice
- Commonly used injection site for trochanteric bursitis and forms the anatomical basis for the ventrogluteal injection site, which is safer than the classic dorsogluteal site.
- Region in the model
- Lower limb