112 ANATOMY OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL 



Relations. Posteriorly, with the gluteus primus and the vasti. 



Action. Extends the leg, flexes and adducts the thigh. 



Gluteus Primus (Fig. 23, No. 8 and 9). Location. The outer 

 flat massive muscle of the thigh. 



Origin. By a thin fascia from nearly the entire length of the 

 supero-internal margin of the pre-acetabular portion of the ilium, 

 above the antitrochanter, and from the entire length of the post- 

 acetabular ridge. 



Insertion. Near the patella it joins the tendon of the extensor 

 femoris, and by aponeurosis spreads over the knee and is inserted 

 to the crest of the upper border of the tibia, the patella being 

 incorporated in its aponeurotic ligament. 



Shape. Triangular in shape, it is aponeurotic anteriorly and more 

 fleshy posteriorly. 



Relations. Anteriorly, covers over the posterior portion of the 

 sartorius and the body of the gluteus medius; posteriorly, bordered 

 by the semitendinosus and the biceps. 



Action. Abducts the thigh. 



Gluteus Medius (Fig. 24, No. n). Location. Supero-anterior 

 part of the ilium under the gluteus primus. 



Origin. From the entire supero-internal margin of the pre-ace- 

 tabular surface of the ilium and the concave surface on the adjacent 

 bone. 



Insertion. By a strong tendon which passes over a bursa on the 

 anterior rim of the trochanter and is inserted obliquely to this 

 trochanter. 



Shape. A fleshy muscle filling the concavity of the pre-acetabular 

 division of the ilium. 



Relations. Superiorly, with the gluteus primus; inferiorly, with 

 the gluteus minimus. 



Action. Abducts and pulls the femur forward. 



Gluteus Minimus (Fig. 24, No. 12). (Synonym. Gluteus 

 profundus.) 



Location. Beneath the medius and the smaller of the two. 



Origin. To the anterior margin of the outer border of the ilium, 

 and from the siipero-external surface of the last rib. 



Insertion. The fibers extending downward and backward and 

 outward become tendinous and are inserted below the trochanter 

 of the outer part of the upper third of the femur. 



Shape. Small, fleshy. 



