Gluteus maximus  Introduction:  Gluteus Maximus the largest and heaviest muscle in the body.  It is the most superficial of all gluteal muscles that are located at the posterior aspect (buttocks) of the hip joint.  Along with the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae, it belongs to the gluteal group of the hip muscles.  Gluteus maximus extends from the pelvis to the of femur.  Gluteus Maximus's size allows it to generate a large amount of force  The development of the muscle's function is associated with the erect posture and changes to the pelvis, also functioning to maintain the erect posture, as a hip extensor  Diagram:  Anatomy Origin:  Outer slope of the dorsal segment of the iliac crest  Gluteal surface of ilium  Dorsal surface of lower part of the sacrum  Side of coccyx  Sacrotuberous ligament Insertion  Gluteal tuberosity  Iliotibial tract  Bursae:  Three bursae are usually found in relation with the deep surface of this muscle:  The trochanteric bursa separates the muscle from the greater trochanter.  The ischiofemoral bursa, when present, is situated on the tuberosity of the ischium.  The gluteofemoral bursa is found between the tendon of the gluteus maximus and that of the vastus lateralis.  Ligaments:  Sacrotuberous ligament: Gluteal maximus attaches to the posterior surface of the iliac and the Sacrotuberous ligament,  Sacrospinus ligament: it provides extensive insertion for the gluteus maximus muscle.  Ischiofemoral ligament: It is an attachment for part of the gluteus maximus muscle, an extensor, lateral rotator, and abductor of the femur at the hip.  Actions: It is the main extensor of the thigh, and assists with lateral rotation. However, it is only used when force is required, such as running or climbing. • Extends thigh at the hip. • Laterally Rotates thigh at the hip. • Abducts thigh at the hip.  Blood supply: • Branches of the inferior gluteal and superior gluteal arteries, the branches of the internal iliac artery.  Nerve Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve.  Role in ADLs: • As a powerful extensor of the hip joint, the gluteus maximus suited to powerful lower limb movements eg stepping onto a step, climbing or running but is not used greatly during normal walking. • Gluteus maximus and the hamstrings work together to extend the trunk from a flexed position by pulling the pelvis backwards, eg standing up from a bent forward position. • If the gluteus maximus is paralyzed climbing stairs and running will become very difficult however, other muscles can extend the hip. Gluteus maximus can be trained to produce functional knee extension • Research has indicated that contraction of the deep abdominal muscles may assist with the contraction of gluteus maximus to assist with the control of anterior pelvic rotation. • Gluteal muscle weakness has been proposed to be associated with a number of lower limb injuries.

1. Gluteus maximus
 Introduction:
 Gluteus Maximus the largest and heaviest muscle in the body.
 It is the most superficial of all gluteal muscles that are located
at the posterior aspect (buttocks) of the hip joint.
 Along with the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae
latae, it belongs to the gluteal group of the hip muscles.
 Gluteus maximus extends from the pelvis to the of femur.
 Gluteus Maximus's size allows it to generate a large amount of
force
 The development of the muscle's function is associated with the
erect posture and changes to the pelvis, also functioning to
maintain the erect posture, as a hip extensor
 Diagram:

2.  Anatomy
Origin:
 Outer slope of the dorsal segment of the iliac crest
 Gluteal surface of ilium
 Dorsal surface of lower part of the sacrum
 Side of coccyx
 Sacrotuberous ligament
Insertion
 Gluteal tuberosity
 Iliotibial tract
 Bursae:
 Three bursae are usually found in relation with the deep surface of
this muscle:

3.  The trochanteric bursa separates the muscle from the greater
trochanter.
 The ischiofemoral bursa, when present, is situated on the tuberosity
of the ischium.
 The gluteofemoral bursa is found between the tendon of the
gluteus maximus and that of the vastus lateralis.
 Ligaments:
 Sacrotuberous ligament: Gluteal maximus attaches to the
posterior surface of the iliac and the Sacrotuberous ligament,
 Sacrospinus ligament: it provides extensive insertion for the
gluteus maximus muscle.
 Ischiofemoral ligament: It is an attachment for part of the gluteus
maximus muscle, an extensor, lateral rotator, and abductor of the
femur at the hip.

4.  Actions: It is the main extensor of the thigh, and assists with lateral
rotation. However, it is only used when force is required, such as
running or climbing.
 Extends thigh at the hip.
 Laterally Rotates thigh at the hip.
 Abducts thigh at the hip.
 Blood supply:
 Branches of the inferior gluteal and superior gluteal arteries, the
branches of the internal iliac artery.
 Nerve Innervation: Inferior gluteal nerve.
 Role in ADLs:
 As a powerful extensor of the hip joint, the gluteus maximus suited
to powerful lower limb movements eg stepping onto a step,
climbing or running but is not used greatly during normal walking.
 Gluteus maximus and the hamstrings work together to extend the
trunk from a flexed position by pulling the pelvis backwards, eg
standing up from a bent forward position.
 If the gluteus maximus is paralyzed climbing stairs and running
will become very difficult however, other muscles can extend the
hip. Gluteus maximus can be trained to produce functional knee
extension
 Research has indicated that contraction of the deep abdominal
muscles may assist with the contraction of gluteus maximus to
assist with the control of anterior pelvic rotation.
 Gluteal muscle weakness has been proposed to be associated with
a number of lower limb injuries.