Where is the gluteal region located

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You have successfully created a MyAccess Profile for alertsuccessName. Previous Chapter. Next Chapter. AMA Citation Chapter Gluteal Region and Hip. Morton D. Study for medical school and boards with Lecturio. Create your free account. Continue Learning. The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Gluteal Region. Last update:. December 9, pm. Table of Contents. Share this concept:. Share on facebook. Share on twitter.

Share on linkedin. Share on reddit. Share on email. Share on whatsapp. Components and Boundaries of the Gluteal Region Components The gluteal region is the area posterior to the pelvic girdle between the iliac crest and the gluteal fold. The region comprises the following: Muscle groups: Superficial gluteal muscles: Gluteus maximus Gluteus medius Gluteus minimus Tensor fasciae latae Deep gluteal muscles: Piriformis Superior and inferior gemelli Obturator internus Quadratus femoris Nerves: Sciatic Superior and inferior gluteal Posterior femoral cutaneous Pudendal Vessels: Superior and inferior gluteal arteries branches of the internal iliac artery Superior and inferior gluteal veins drain into the internal iliac vein Foramina: Greater and lesser sciatic foramina of the pelvis formed by the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments Boundaries Superior: iliac crest Medial: intergluteal cleft Lateral: a line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the greater trochanter Inferior: inferior gluteal cleft Boundaries of the gluteal region Image by BioDigital , edited by Lecturio.

Related videos. Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve supply Function Piriformis Anterior surface of the sacrum Greater trochanter superior surface Anterior rami of S1 Lateral rotation of the extended hip Abduction of the flexed hip Gemelli Superior: ischial spine Inferior: ischial tuberosity Greater trochanter medial surface Obturator internus Pelvic surface of the ilium, ischium, and obturator membrane Greater trochanter medial surface Quadratus femoris Ischial tuberosity Intertrochanteric crest N to the quadratus femoris L5, S1 Lateral rotation Holds the head of the femur within the acetabulum.

Image by BioDigital , edited by Lecturio. Gluteal Vessels Gluteal arteries Two branches drain from the internal iliac arteries: Superior gluteal artery: The largest branch of the internal iliac Goes through the greater sciatic foramen and the suprapiriform foramen Supplies the gluteus medius, minimus, tensor fasciae latae, and piriformis muscles in the gluteal region Also supplies the skin over the sacrum and hip joint Inferior gluteal artery: Goes through the greater sciatic foramen and the infrapiriform foramen Supplies the gluteus maximus, obturator internus, and quadratus femoris muscles in the gluteal region Also supplies the sciatic nerve, pelvic floor, and skin of the gluteal and thigh regions Gluteal veins The veins of the gluteal regions accompany the gluteal arteries and are named accordingly: superior and inferior gluteal veins.

Drain into the internal iliac vein The gluteal vessels emerging through the suprapiriform foramen and infrapiriform foramina Image by BioDigital , edited by Lecturio. Gluteal Nerves Several important nerves originating from the sacral plexus either traverse or have branches that innervate the gluteal region.

The sciatic nerve, the largest branch of the lumbosacral plexus and largest nerve in the body, exits just caudally to one of the deep gluteal muscles, the piriformis muscle. Nerve Origin Muscles supplied Sciatic Anterior and posterior divisions of the nerve roots L4-S3 Muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg Muscles of the sole of the foot Muscles in the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg Innervates no muscles in the gluteal region Superior gluteal L4-S1 Sacral plexus Gluteus medius Gluteus minimus Tensor fasciae latae Inferior gluteal L5-S2 Sacral plexus Gluteus maximus Posterior femoral cutaneous S1-S3 Sacral plexus Skin over the lower and lateral parts of the gluteus maximus Skin of the posterior and medial thigh Pudendal S2-S4 Pudendal plexus Muscles of the pelvic floor Cutaneous perineal branches Sacral plexus L4-S4 direct branches Piriformis Obturator internus and externus Superior and inferior gemelli Quadratus femoris.

Most of these muscles are supplied by two branches of the internal iliac artery , and they mimic the two major nerves that supply these muscles — the superior and inferior gluteal nerves. As the largest muscle of the gluteal region, gluteus maximus is a powerful muscle involved in both primary hip movements and stabilisation of the hip. As the gluteus maximus also inserts into the iliotibial band , which crosses the knee joint, it is involved in stabilisation of this joint.

Gluteus medius and minimus are extremely important abductors of the hip, and their dysfunction can lead to significant difficulty in walking ataxia. Tensor fascia latae is the most anterior of the superficial gluteal muscles. The deep gluteal muscles all contribute to external rotation of the hip. They are covered dorsally by the gluteus maximus and are only seen in cadaveric specimens where this muscle has been dissected away. Piriformis is the most superior muscle of the deep gluteal group.

It is named after its pear-like shape yes, the fruit! Piriformis is also an important anatomical landmark for it divides the greater sciatic foramen into supra- and infra-piriform regions. Nerves of the pelvic region, gluteal region and posterior thigh can be grouped as supra-piriform or infra-piriform.

The pudendal vessel follows an odd path, where it exits through the supra-piriform foramen and re-enters the pelvis in the infra-piriform foramen. Hypertrophy of the piriformis muscle can lead to compression of the neurovascular structures in the infrapiriform foramen, a condition known as piriformis syndrome.

There are two gemelli singular: gemellus muscles. The superior muscle lies superior to the obturator internus, and the inferior muscle lies inferior to the obturator internus.

They are fan-shaped muscles converging towards their insertion on the femur. Obturator internus originates on the internal surface of the pelvis. Obturator externus originates on the external surface of the pelvis. Both attach to the femur to contribute to femoral rotation. The last of the deep gluteal muscles, quadratus femoris is named after its flat, quadrilateral shape. The deep gluteal region has several muscles that may appear difficult to differentiate.

One method to identify these muscles is to locate the piriformis — the cone-shaped muscle lying on top of the sciatic nerve. Patients with impaired hip abduction may present with an abnormal gait ataxia.