244 



MUSCLES OF THE GLUTEAL REGION. 



Fig. 129.* The GLUTEUS MAXIMUS (yXouroc:, nates) 



is the thick, fleshy mass of muscle, of a 

 quadrangular shape, which forms the con- 

 vexity of the nates. In structure, it is ex- 

 tremely coarse, being made up of large 

 fibres, which are collected into fasciculi, 

 and these again into distinct muscular 

 masses, separated by deep cellular fur- 

 rows. It arises from the posterior fifth of 

 the crest oT"the ilium, from the posterior 

 surface of the sacrum and coccyx, and 

 from the great sacro-ischiatic ligament. It 

 passes obliquely outwards and downwards, 

 to be insgxied 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 covering 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 internus, quadratus 

 femoris, sacro-ischiatic foramina, great sacro-ischiatic ligament, tuberosity 

 of the ischium, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, 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 muscle 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, Trom 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 outer part of 

 the trochanter major, into which its tendon is inserted. 



Relations. By its superficial surface with the tensor vagina? femoris, 

 gluteus maximus, and its fascia. By its deep surface with the gluteus 

 minimus, and gluteal vessels and nerves. By its lower border with the 

 pyriformis muscle. A bursa is interposed between its tendon and the 

 upper part of the trochanter major. 



* The deep muscles of the gluteal region. 1. The external surface of the ilium. 2. 

 The posterior surface of the sacrum. 3. The posterior sacro-iliac ligaments. 4. The 

 luberosity of the ischium. 5. The great or posterior sacro-ischiatic ligament. G. The 

 lesser or anterior sacro-ischiatic ligament. 7. The trochanter major. 8. The gluteus 

 minimus. 9. The pyriformis. 10. The gemellus superior. 11. The obturator internus 

 muscle, passing out of the lesser sacro-ischiatic foramen. 12. The gemellus inferior. 

 j3. The quadratus femoris. 14, The upper part of the adductor magnus. 10. The 

 rastus externus. 10. The biceps. 17. The gracilis. 18. The semitendinosus. 



