Lesson 14: The Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus and Piriformis

This course describes the gluteal muscles, including the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. This course also describes the piriformis muscle. These muscles contribute to motion of the femur at the hip joint (acetabulofemoral joint) and cross the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). Examples include the gluteus maximus contributing to hip extension, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus contributing to hip abduction, and the piriformis contributing to hip external rotation. Note, these muscles also play a role in maintaining optimal posture and optimal arthrokinematics of the hip joint and sacroiliac joint. Sports medicine professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, etc.) must be aware of the muscles of the gluteal region for the analysis of human movement, and the development of sophisticated exercise programs and therapeutic (rehabilitation) interventions. Further, this course is essential knowledge for future courses discussing detailed anatomy like neural innervations (e.g. gluteal nerve, sciatic nerve, etc.), the synergistic function of these muscles with other hip muscles (e.g. gluteus medius muscle and tensor fascia latae contributing to hip abduction), injury (e.g. myofascial pain, hip pain, lower back pain, piriformis syndrome, sciatic nerve pain/sciatica, etc.), and sports performance (e.g. muscle strength of the lower extremity/lower limb).

Caption: The glute max and glute med on the back side of the body