Gluteal Muscles

The gluteal muscles commonly refer to three major muscles in the buttock region: the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. They extend from the pelvis to structures on the femur or the iliotibial tract and act primarily at the hip joint. Together, they contribute to movement of the thigh and stabilization of the pelvis during standing and locomotion .^1,2,3

The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three. It is a powerful hip extensor and also contributes to external rotation of the thigh. Its action is particularly important when substantial hip-extension force is required, such as when rising from a seated position, climbing, or running .¹

The gluteus medius lies partly beneath the gluteus maximus, while the gluteus minimus lies deeper still. The medius and minimus are important hip abductors, meaning they move the thigh away from the body's midline. They also contribute to rotation of the thigh, with their exact actions depending partly on which muscle fibers are active and the position of the hip .^2,3

A major function of the gluteus medius and minimus is stabilizing the pelvis during walking and other activities involving support on one leg. When one foot is lifted, these muscles on the weight-bearing side help prevent the opposite side of the pelvis from dropping. The gluteal region also contains several other muscles that act at the hip and should not be confused with the three gluteus muscles themselves .^2,3