Gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae: abduction and medial rotation of the hip
Gluteus minimus and tensor fasciae latae (a small muscle on the outer side of the hip) both abduct the thigh and medially rotate it, turning it inwards.
Remember
Gluteus minimus and the tensor fasciae latae abduct and medially rotate the hip and are supplied by the superior gluteal nerve, whereas the deep gluteal muscles mainly rotate it laterally.
Memory aid
the superior gluteal nerve supplies the three abductors (gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and tensor fascia lata), whereas the inferior gluteal nerve supplies gluteus maximus alone
Sort the muscles by their nerve: the superior gluteal nerve for the abductors, the inferior gluteal nerve for gluteus maximus.
Gluteus minimus and the tensor fasciae latae have the same actions. Gluteus minimus is a small gluteal muscle lying beneath gluteus medius. It arises from the ilium (the broad upper bone of the pelvis) and attaches to the greater trochanter (the bony prominence at the top of the outer thigh). The tensor fasciae latae is a small superficial muscle on the outer side of the hip. It arises from the anterior superior iliac spine (the bony point at the front of the pelvis) and runs into the iliotibial tract (a thick band of connective tissue down the outer thigh that attaches to the tibia).
Both muscles abduct the hip, which means moving the thigh away from the midline, and both turn the thigh inwards, which is medial rotation. Both are supplied by the superior gluteal nerve. The deep short muscles of the buttock, such as piriformis and obturator internus, mainly rotate the thigh outwards.
When you stand on one leg, gluteus minimus and gluteus medius contract, and this stops the unsupported side of the pelvis dropping. If they fail, the pelvis drops on the side of the lifted leg, which is Trendelenburg's sign (a test of hip abductor weakness). The tensor fasciae latae plays a supportive role in walking through its insertion into the iliotibial tract.
Key facts
- Actions
- gluteus minimus and the tensor fasciae latae abduct and medially rotate the thigh at the hip.
- Gluteus minimus attachments
- it arises from the ilium and attaches to the greater trochanter.
- Tensor fasciae latae attachments
- it arises from the anterior superior iliac spine and runs into the iliotibial tract.
- Nerve supply
- the superior gluteal nerve, which also supplies gluteus medius.
- Walking
- gluteus minimus and gluteus medius hold the pelvis level when you stand on one leg, with the tensor fasciae latae in a supportive role.
- Contrast
- gluteus maximus is supplied by the inferior gluteal nerve and mainly extends the hip.
Exam traps
- Weakness of abduction and medial rotation does not point to gluteus maximus, because its loss would weaken extension and lateral rotation.
- Abduction with lateral rotation is a near miss: the deep short muscles mainly turn the thigh outwards, but gluteus minimus turns it inwards, so the direction of rotation is decisive.
- Extension with lateral rotation and the inferior gluteal nerve describes gluteus maximus, not the tensor fasciae latae, which is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve.
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