224 MUSCLES OF THE GLUTEAL REGION. 



apex of the coccyx along the fleshy margin of the lower border of 

 the gluteus maximus, to the outer side of the thigh, about four inches 

 below the apex of the trochanter major. He then reflects the in- 

 tegument, superficial fascia, and deep fascia, which latter is very 

 thin over this muscle, from the gluteus maximus, following rigidly 

 the course of its fibres ; and having exposed the muscle in its entire 

 extent, he dissects the integument and superficial fascia from oif the 

 deep fascia which binds down the gluteus medius, the other portion 

 of this region. 



The Gluteus maximus (yXourss, nates) is the thick, fleshy mass of 

 muscle, of a quadrangular shape, which forms the convexity of the 

 nates. In structure, it is extremely coarse, being made up of large 

 fibres, which are collected into fasciculi, and these again into dis- 

 tinct muscular masses, separated by deep cellular furrows. It arises 

 from the posterior fifth of the crest of the ilium, from the border of 

 the sacrum and coccyx, and from the great sacro-ischiatic ligament. 

 It passes obliquely outwards and downwards, to be inserted into the 

 rough line leading from the trochanter major to the linea aspera, 

 and is continuous by means of its tendon with the fascia lata coyer- 

 ing the outer side of the thigh. A large bursa is situated between 

 the broad tendon of this muscle and the femur. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with a thin aponeurotic 

 fascia, which separates it from the superficial fascia and integument, 

 and with the vastus externus, a bursa being interposed. By its deep 

 surface with the gluteus medius, pyriformis, gemelli, obturator inter- 

 nus, quadratus femoris, sacro-ischiatic foramina, great sacro-ischiatic 

 ligament, tuberosity of the ischium, semi-membranosus, semi-tendi- 

 nosus, biceps, and adductor magnus ; the gluteal vessels and nerves, 

 ischiatic vessels and nerves, and internal pudic vessels and nerve. 

 By its upper border it overlaps the gluteus medius ; and by the lower 

 border forms the lower margin of the nates. 



The gluteus maximus must be turned down from its origin, in 

 order to bring the next muscles into view. 



The Gluteus medius is placed in front of, rather than beneath the 

 gluteus maximus ; and is covered in by a process of the deep fascia, 

 which is very thick and dense. It arises from the outer lip of the 

 crest of the ilium for four-fifths of its length, from the surface of bone 

 between that border and the superior curved line on the dorsum ilii, 

 and from the dense fascia above mentioned. Its fibres converge to 

 the upper part of the trochanter major, into which its tendon is 

 inserted. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with the tensor vaginae femo- 

 ris, gluteus maximus, and a very thick fascia. By its deep surface 

 with the gluteus minimus, and gluteal vessels and nerves. By its 

 lower border with the pyriformis muscle. 



This muscle should now be removed from its origin and turned 

 down, so as to expose the next which is situated beneath it. 



The Gluteus minimus is a radiated muscle, arising from the sur- 

 face of the dorsum ilii, between the superior and inferior curved 



