The gluteal muscles, often called glutes are a group of three muscles which make up the gluteal region commonly known as the

buttocks The buttocks (singular: buttock) are two rounded portions of the exterior anatomy of most mammals, located on the posterior of the pelvic region. In humans, the buttocks are located between the lower back and the perineum. They are composed ...

: the gluteus maximus,

gluteus medius The gluteus medius, one of the three gluteal muscles, is a broad, thick, radiating muscle. It is situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. Its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, its anterior two-thirds by the gluteal aponeuros ...

and

gluteus minimus The gluteus minimus, or glutæus minimus, the smallest of the three gluteal muscles, is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius. Structure It is fan-shaped, arising from the outer surface of the ilium, between the anterior and infer ...

. The three muscles originate from the ilium and sacrum and insert on the

femur The femur (; ), or thigh bone, is the proximal bone of the hindlimb in tetrapod vertebrates. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone forming the hip joint, while the distal part of the femur articulates wit ...

. The functions of the muscles include extension, abduction,

external rotation Motion, the process of movement, is described using specific anatomical terms. Motion includes movement of organs, joints, limbs, and specific sections of the body. The terminology used describes this motion according to its direction relativ ...

, and

internal rotation Motion, the process of movement, is described using specific anatomical terms. Motion includes movement of organs, joints, limbs, and specific sections of the body. The terminology used describes this motion according to its direction relativ ...

of the

hip joint In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa"Latin ''coxa'' was used by Celsus in the sense "hip", but by Pliny the Elder in the sense "hip bone" (Diab, p 77) in medical terminology) refers to either an anatomical region or a joint. The hip region is ...

Structure

The gluteus maximus is the largest and most

superficial Superficial may refer to: *Superficial anatomy, is the study of the external features of the body *Superficiality, the discourses in philosophy regarding social relation *Superficial charm, the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick and ...

of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of the

hips In vertebrate anatomy, hip (or "coxa"Latin ''coxa'' was used by Celsus in the sense "hip", but by Pliny the Elder in the sense "hip bone" (Diab, p 77) in medical terminology) refers to either an anatomical region or a joint. The hip region ...

. It is a narrow and thick fleshy mass of a quadrilateral shape, and forms the prominence of the

. The gluteus medius is a broad, thick, radiating muscle, situated on the outer surface of the pelvis. It lies profound to the gluteus maximus and its posterior third is covered by the gluteus maximus, its anterior two-thirds by the

gluteal aponeurosis The gluteal aponeurosis is a fibrous membrane, from the fascia lata, that lies between the iliac crest and the superior border of the gluteus maximus The gluteus maximus is the main extensor muscle of the hip. It is the largest and outermost o ...

, which separates it from the superficial fascia and

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different de ...

. The gluteus minimus is the smallest of the three gluteal muscles and is situated immediately beneath the gluteus medius. The bulk of the gluteal muscle mass contributes only partially to shape of the buttocks. The other major contributing factor is that of the panniculus adiposus of the buttocks, which is very well developed in this area, and gives the buttock its characteristic rounded shape. The gluteal muscle bulk and tone can be improved with exercise. However, it is predominantly the disposition of the overlying panniculus adiposus which may cause sagging in this region of the body. Exercise in general (not only of the gluteal muscles but of the body in general) which can contribute to fat loss can lead to reduction of mass in subcutaneal fat storage locations on the body which includes the panniculus, so for leaner and more active individuals, the glutes will more predominantly contribute to the shape than someone less active with a fattier composition. The degree of body fat stored in various locations such as the panniculus is dictated by genetic and hormonal profiles.

Gluteus maximus

The gluteus maximus arises from the

posterior gluteal line The gluteal lines are three curved lines outlined from three bony ridges on the exterior surface of the ilium in the gluteal region. They are the anterior gluteal line; the inferior gluteal line, and the posterior gluteal line. The gluteus mini ...

of the inner upper ilium, and the rough portion of bone including the crest, immediately above and behind it; from the posterior surface of the lower part of the sacrum and the side of the

coccyx The coccyx ( : coccyges or coccyxes), commonly referred to as the tailbone, is the final segment of the vertebral column in all apes, and analogous structures in certain other mammals such as horses. In tailless primates (e.g. humans and othe ...

; from the aponeurosis of the erector spinae (

lumbodorsal fascia The thoracolumbar fascia (lumbodorsal fascia or thoracodorsal fascia) is a deep investing membrane throughout most of the posterior thorax and abdomen although it is a thin fibrous lamina in the thoracic region. Above, it is continuous with a simil ...

), the sacrotuberous ligament, and the fascia covering the gluteus medius. The fibers are directed obliquely downward and lateralward; the muscle has two insertions: Those forming the upper and larger portion of the muscle, together with the superficial fibers of the lower portion, end in a thick tendinous lamina, which passes across the

greater trochanter The greater trochanter of the femur is a large, irregular, quadrilateral eminence and a part of the skeletal system. It is directed lateral and medially and slightly posterior. In the adult it is about 2–4 cm lower than the femoral head.Stan ...

, and inserts into the Iliotibial tract, iliotibial band of the fascia lata; and the deeper fibers of the lower portion of the muscle are inserted into the gluteal tuberosity between the vastus lateralis and adductor magnus. Its action is to extend and to laterally rotate the hip, and also to extend the trunk.

Gluteus medius

The gluteus medius muscle originates on the outer surface of the ilium between the iliac crest and the

above, and the anterior gluteal line below; the gluteus medius also originates from the gluteal aponeurosis that covers its outer surface. The fibers of the muscle converge into a strong flattened tendon that inserts on the lateral surface of the

. More specifically, the muscle's tendon inserts into an oblique ridge that runs downward and forward on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter.

Gluteus minimus

The gluteus minimus is fan-shaped, arising from the outer surface of the ilium, between the anterior gluteal line, 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

, and gives an expansion to the capsule of the hip joint.

Function

The functions of muscles includes Anatomical terms of motion#Flexion and extension, extension, abduction and internal as well as external Anatomical terms of motion#Rotation, rotation of the hip joint. The gluteus maximus also supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract.

Clinical significance

Sitting for long periods can lead to the gluteal muscles muscle atrophy, atrophying through constant pressure and disuse. This may be associated with (although not necessarily the cause of) lower back pain, difficulty with some movements that naturally require the gluteal muscles, such as rising from the seated position, and climbing stairs.

Society and culture

Exercise and stretching

Any exercise that works and/or stretches the buttocks is suitable, for example Lunge (exercise), lunges, Pelvic lift, hip thrusts, climbing stairs, fencing, bicycling, Rowing (sport), rowing, squat (exercise), squats, Glossary of ballet terms#Arabesque, arabesque, aerobics, and various specific exercises for the bottom. Weight training exercises which are known to significantly strengthen the gluteal muscles include the squat (exercise), squat, deadlift, leg press, any other movements involving external hip rotation and hip extension.

Cultural significance and artistic representation

Well formed gluteal muscles have long been associated with health, strength and sexual attractiveness. In terms of health, they act as a sign of 'being in shape'. This usually means a person is also eating, sleeping and exercising properly, all of which are beneficial to health. In terms of strength, the glutes are among the largest and most powerful muscles in the body. If they are well developed then a person is more likely to be strong. They are also key contributors to movement ranges of fundamental importance, such as bending and straightening the legs, and bending, straightening and twisting at the waist. These movement ranges are key in a person's ability to move in a powerful, dynamic fashion and they are powered to a significant extent by the glutes. If they are well formed then a person is much more likely to be able to move efficiently. In terms of sexual attractiveness, the glute specialist Bret Contreras considers in physio-anthropological terms that this is based upon a sub-conscious assessment of the relationship between a physical capability to survive and prosper, and the ability to raise a family. 'It stands to reason that both males and females were attracted to nice glutes, instinctively making the connection to big, strong glutes and survival, reproduction, hunting and protection.' Prominent gluteal muscles are often used in art in order to imply an ability to move in a powerful, dynamic fashion; virility and fertility; and to meet aesthetic considerations in these regards. File:Venus Kallipygos cropped.jpg, The Venus Callipyge statue, 1st or 2nd Century B.C. File:Ancient Greek athlete using a strigel cropped.jpg, An Ancient Greek athlete using a strigil, which is a device used for cleaning off oil and dirt File:Ancient Greek sprinters vase cropped.jpg, Ancient Greek sprinters, c. 530 B.C. File:Pankratiast Roman relief cropped.jpg, Pankration, Pankratiasts fighting on a Roman relief File:Boxer Jack Johnson cropped.jpg, The large glutes and muscular proportions of this heavyweight boxer demonstrate the 20th Century revival of historical training focuses File:100m 2017 sprinters cropped.jpg, Modern sprinters, 2017 File:Armand Duplantis jumps 6.0 m, August 24 2019.jpg, A pole vaulter, 2019 File:Adult entertainers cropped.jpg, The commercialisation of the gluteal muscles as demonstrated by an adult entertainment associate, 2014

Additional images

File:Gluteus maximus 3D.gif, Position of gluteus maximus muscle File:Gluteus medius muscle - animation04.gif, Position of gluteus medius muscle File:Gluteus minimus muscle - animation04.gif, Position of gluteus minimus muscle

References

* McMinn, RMH (Ed) (1994) Last's Anatomy: Regional and applied (9th Ed). London: Churchill Livingstone.

External links

8b. The Muscles and Fasciæ of the Thigh
Bartleby.com, Henry Gray
Anatomy of the Human Body
1918. {{DEFAULTSORT:Gluteal Muscles Hip muscles Muscles of the gluteus Muscles of the lower limb