Gluteus minimus muscle 658130 223049842 2008-07-02T10:18:47Z Vedran12 7322109 interwiki hr {{Muscle infobox | Name = Gluteus minimus| Latin = | GraySubject = 128 | GrayPage = 475 | Image = Posterior Hip Muscles 1.PNG | Caption = The gluteus minimus and nearby muscles | Image2 = Gray344.png | Caption2 = Structures surrounding right hip-joint. (Gluteus minimus visible at center left.) | Origin = Gluteal surface of [[Ilium (bone)|ilium]], under [[gluteus medius]].| Insertion = [[Greater trochanter]] of the [[femur]]| Blood = [[superior gluteal artery]]| Nerve = [[superior gluteal nerve]] (L4, L5, S1 nerve roots) | Action = Works in concert with gluteus medius: [[anatomical terms of location|abduction]] of the hip; preventing [[anatomical terms of location|adduction]] of the hip. Medial rotation of thigh. | Antagonist = [[lateral rotator group]] }} The '''gluteus minimus''', the smallest of the three [[gluteal muscles]], is situated immediately beneath the [[gluteus medius]]. ==Origin and insertion== [[Image:Gluteus minimus muscle.PNG|thumb|left|Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions with gluteus minimus muscle highlighted.]] It is fan-shaped, arising from the outer surface of the [[Ilium (bone)|ilium]], between the anterior and inferior [[gluteal lines]], and behind, from the margin of the [[greater sciatic notch]]. The fibers converge to the deep surface of a radiated aponeurosis, and this ends in a tendon which is inserted into an impression on the anterior border of the [[greater trochanter]], and gives an expansion to the capsule of the [[hip (anatomy)|hip joint]]. ==Relations== A [[bursa (anatomy)|bursa]] is interposed between the [[tendon]] and the greater trochanter. Between the [[gluteus medius]] and gluteus minimus are the deep branches of the superior gluteal vessels and the [[superior gluteal nerve]]. The deep surface of the gluteus minimus is in relation with the reflected tendon of the [[rectus femoris]] and the capsule of the hip joint. ==Action== The Glutæi medius and minimus abduct the thigh, when the limb is extended, and are principally called into action in supporting the body on one limb, in conjunction with the [[Tensor fasciæ latæ]]. Their anterior fibers, by drawing the greater trochanter forward, rotate the thigh inward, in which action they are also assisted by the Tensor fasciæ latæ. ==Variations== The muscle may be divided into an anterior and a posterior part, or it may send slips to the [[piriformis]], the [[superior gemellus]] or the outer part of the origin of the [[vastus lateralis]]. [[The Nutty Professor (1996 film)]] uses the words "gluteus minimus" as a buzzword for a "nice ass". ==See also== * [[Trendelenburg gait]] ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray235.png|Right hip bone. External surface. Image:Gray244.png|Right femur. Anterior surface. Image:Gray544.png|The arteries of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions. Image:Gray832.png|Nerves of the right lower extremity Posterior view. </gallery> ==External links== * {{GPnotebook|-435814323}} * {{MuscleLoyola|glmn}} * [http://www.ptcentral.com/muscles/musclelegs.html#gluteus%20minimus PTCentral] * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|13|st|04|06}} {{Gray's}} {{Muscles of lower limb}} {{muscle-stub}} [[Category:Muscles of the gluteus]] [[cs:Malý sval hýžďový]] [[de:Musculus gluteus minimus]] [[es:Glúteo menor]] [[fr:Muscle petit glutéal]] [[hr:Najmanji stražnjični mišić]] [[he:שריר העכוז הקטן]] [[ja:小殿筋]] [[it:Piccolo gluteo]] [[la:Musculus gluteus minimus]]