| Gluteal Muscles | Origin | Insertion | Action | Nerve roots | Nerves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gluteus Maximus | Gluteal surface of ilium, lumbar fascia, sacrum, sacrotuberous ligament | Greater trochanter of the femur and iliotibial tract | External rotation and extension of the hip joint, supports the extended knee through the iliotibial tract, chief antigravity muscle in sitting and abduction of the hip | L5 S1 S2 | Inferior Gluteal Nerve (L5 S1 and S2 nerve roots) |
| Gluteus Medius | Gluteal surface of ilium, under gluteus Maximus. Three areas of origin: gluteal fossa, gluteal aponeurosis, and posterior inferior edge of the lip of the iliac crest. | Greater trochanter of the femur. Three points of insertion: tendinous portion of the aponeurosis inserts onto the superolateral facet, the remainder inserts along an anteroinferior oblique line on the lateral facet. | Abduction of the hip; preventing adduction of the hip. Medial/internal rotation and flexion of the hip (anterior fibers). Extension and Lateral/external rotation of the hip (posterior fibers) | L4 L5 S1 | Superior Gluteal Nerve |
| Gluteus Minimus | From the area between the anterior gluteal line and inferior gluteal line on the gluteal surface of the ilium, beneath the gluteus medius. | Greater trochanter of the femur (anterior facet) | Works in concert with gluteus medius to abduct the hip and prevent adduction; contributes to medial rotation of the thigh. | L4 L5 S1 | Superior gluteal nerve |
