Gluteus Medius Muscle Anatomy

The Gluteus medius muscle is a fan-shaped appearance muscle that lies between the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus muscles. Its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, while the anterior two-thirds is superficial, covered only by a strong layer of deep fascia. Gluteus medius lies on top of the gluteus minimus, covering the minimus muscle.
The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus share the same actions and nerve supply and are supplied by the same blood vessel, the superior gluteal artery. The gluteus minimus and most of the gluteus medius lie deep to the gluteus maximus on the external surface of the ilium. The gluteus medius and minimus abduct or stabilize the thigh and rotate it medially
Gluteus Medius Muscle Anatomy
The gluteus medius muscle has its upper origin from the gluteal, or lateral surface of the ilium, situated between the posterior and anterior gluteal lines, as well as the gluteal aponeurosis. This origin spans a large area, extending from the iliac crest above to almost the sciatic notch below. The muscle firmly adheres to a robust layer of fascia, which it shares with the gluteus maximus at its posterior end.
See Also: Hip Muscles Anatomy
The fibers of the gluteus medius muscle take various courses, the fibers of the posterior portion pass forwards and downwards, the fibers of the middle portion pass downwards while the fibers of the anterior portion pass backwards and downward.
All fibers combine to form a flattened tendon which attaches to the posterior and lateral part of the superior portion of the greater trochanter of the femur. The trochanteric bursa of the gluteus medius separates the tendon and the trochanter.

The gluteus medius muscle is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve (root L4, L5 and S1), and gets its blood supply from the superior gluteal artery, the largest branch of the internal iliac artery.
The gluteus medius muscle is a primary hip abductor, assisted by the gluteus minimus and the tensor fascia lata. Both gluteus medius and minimus act from the pelvis to abduct the thigh and rotate it internally. The anterior fibers help with the internal rotation of the thigh, while the posterior fibers help with lateral rotation when the knee is in extension.
Gluteus medius muscle acts from the femur to stabilize the pelvis and maintain the trunk upright when standing on one leg, running, and walking when one leg is off the ground. With one foot being off the ground, the body weight tends to make the pelvis sag downwards on the unsupported side. The gluteus medius and minimus of the supported side counteract this force by powerful traction on the hip bone. The pelvis is prevented from sagging downwards and may even be raised a little on the unsupported side. The force produced by hip abductor muscles to maintain stability during single-limb support accounts for most of the compressive force generated between the acetabulum and femoral head.
Origin | Dorsal ilium inferior to iliac crest |
Insertion | Lateral and superior surfaces of greater trochanter |
Innervation | Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1) |
Blood Supply | Superior gluteal artery |
Action | Major abductor of thigh Anterior fibers help to rotate hip medially Posterior fibers help to rotate hip laterally |

References & More
- Cael, C. (2010). Functional anatomy: Musculoskeletal anatomy, kinesiology, and palpation for manual therapists. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
- Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Clinically Oriented Anatomy – 8th Edition
- Shah A, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Gluteus Medius Muscle. [Updated 2023 Feb 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: Pubmed
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