Muscle · Lower limb
Gluteus minimus: origin, insertion, action and innervation
The gluteus minimus is the deepest gluteal muscle, from the outer ilium to the greater trochanter. It abducts the hip (superior gluteal nerve).
Quick answer
- Latin name
- Musculus gluteus minimus
- Origin
- Outer surface of the ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines (hip bone)
- Insertion
- Anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur
- Action
- Abducts the hip and rotates the thigh medially; keeps the pelvis level when standing on one leg
- Innervation
- Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1)
- Blood supply
- Superior gluteal artery
See it on the 3D body
The gluteus minimus lit on the 3D pelvis, as in the pelvis quiz. Turn the body, peel the layers, tap any structure for its name.
The gluteus minimus is the smallest and deepest of the three gluteal muscles, running from the outer surface of the ilium to the front of the greater trochanter of the femur. It abducts the hip, rotates the thigh medially, and is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1).
Where it is
The gluteus minimus lies directly on the outer surface of the ilium, under the gluteus medius, which in turn lies partly under the gluteus maximus. It is a thin, fan-shaped muscle that covers the upper part of the hip joint from the outside, and some of its deepest fibers blend with the joint capsule.
You cannot see it from the surface: in the app, you need to hide the gluteus maximus and medius to reveal it. It sits above the piriformis and the other small deep rotators of the hip. See all the gluteal and deep hip muscles on muscles of the hip.
Origin and insertion
- Origin: the outer surface of the ilium, between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines, and the edge of the greater sciatic notch. The ilium is the broad upper part of the hip bone.
- Insertion: its fibers converge onto a tendon that attaches to the anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur, slightly in front of the gluteus medius insertion.
The three glutes are stacked on the ilium like three fans, each with its own area between the gluteal lines: maximus behind the posterior line, medius between the posterior and anterior lines, minimus between the anterior and inferior lines, the lowest and furthest forward.
What it does
The gluteus minimus works almost always together with the gluteus medius, and their actions are the same:
- Abduction of the hip: it moves the thigh away from the midline.
- Medial rotation of the thigh: because it inserts on the front of the greater trochanter, it turns the thigh inward. Of the glutes, it is one of the main medial rotators, with the anterior fibers of the gluteus medius.
- Keeping the pelvis level: when you stand on one leg, or at every step when walking, the gluteus minimus and medius of the standing side stop the pelvis from dropping toward the lifted leg.
- Steadying the hip joint: its deep fibers lie on the joint capsule and help keep the head of the femur centered in the acetabulum.
Innervation and blood supply
The gluteus minimus is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve (roots L4, L5 and S1). This nerve leaves the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen above the piriformis, runs forward between the gluteus medius and minimus, and supplies both of them and the tensor fasciae latae.
Blood comes from the deep branch of the superior gluteal artery, which runs with the nerve in the same plane between the two muscles. This nerve-and-artery layer between the medius and minimus is a useful landmark when you peel back the layers of the buttock.
How to remember it
- Minimus = smallest. The three glutes go maximus, medius, minimus from the biggest and most superficial to the smallest and deepest.
- Medius and minimus share everything: origin on the outer ilium, insertion on the greater trochanter, abduction and medial rotation, the superior gluteal nerve and artery. Learn them as a pair.
- "Minimus is in front": it inserts on the anterior surface of the trochanter, which is why it's a good medial rotator.
- Last fan on the bone: peel off the maximus, then the medius, and the minimus is the fan lying directly on the ilium.
- Superior gluteal nerve: superior to piriformis, supplies medius, minimus and tensor fasciae latae.
Frequently asked questions
What is the function of the gluteus minimus?
It abducts the hip and rotates the thigh medially. With the gluteus medius, it keeps the pelvis level when you stand on one leg and helps steady the hip joint.
Where does the gluteus minimus insert?
On the anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.
Which nerve supplies the gluteus minimus?
The superior gluteal nerve, from roots L4 to S1, the same nerve as for the gluteus medius.
Is the gluteus minimus under the gluteus medius?
Yes. It is the deepest of the three glutes, lying directly on the ilium under the gluteus medius, which is itself partly covered by the gluteus maximus.
