View source for Gluteus maximus

{{short description|Largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles}}
{{Infobox muscle
| Name        = Gluteus maximus
| Latin       = musculus glutaeus maximus
| Image       = Gluteus maximus 3D.gif
| Caption     = The location of the gluteus maximus
| Image2      = Posterior Hip Muscles 3.PNG|
| Caption2    = The gluteus maximus and gluteus medius
| Origin      = Gluteal surface of [[ilium (bone)|ilium]], [[lumbar fascia]], [[sacrum]], [[sacrotuberous ligament]]
| Insertion   = [[Gluteal tuberosity]] of the [[femur]] and [[iliotibial tract]]
| Blood       = [[superior gluteal artery|Superior]] and [[inferior gluteal artery|inferior gluteal arteries]]
| Nerve       = [[Inferior gluteal nerve]] ([[Lumbar spinal nerve 5|L5]], [[Sacral spinal nerve 1|S1]] and [[Sacral spinal nerve 2|S2 nerve roots]])
| Action      = [[External rotation]] and [[Extension (kinesiology)|extension]] of the [[hip joint]], supports the extended [[knee]] through the [[iliotibial tract]], chief antigravity muscle in [[sitting]] and abduction of the hip
| Antagonist  = [[Iliacus muscle|Iliacus]], [[Psoas major muscle|psoas major]] and [[psoas minor]]
}}

The '''gluteus maximus''' is the main [[extensor muscle]] of the [[hip]] in humans. It is the largest and outermost of the three [[gluteal muscles]] and makes up a large part of the shape and appearance of each side of the hips. It is the single largest muscle in the human body.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 November 2019|title=What is the strongest muscle in the human body?|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/what-is-the-strongest-muscle-in-the-human-body/|access-date=2023-05-28|publisher=[[Library of Congress]]}}</ref> Its thick fleshy mass, in a quadrilateral shape, forms the prominence of the [[buttocks]]. The other gluteal muscles are the [[gluteus medius muscle|medius]] and [[gluteus minimus muscle|minimus]], and sometimes informally these are collectively referred to as the '''glutes'''.

Its large size is one of the most characteristic features of the muscular system in humans,<ref name="auto">Norman Eizenberg et al., ''General Anatomy: Principles and Applications'' (2008), p. 17.</ref> connected as it is with the power of maintaining the trunk in the erect posture. Other [[primate]]s have much flatter hips and cannot sustain standing erectly.

The muscle is made up of [[muscle fascicle]]s lying parallel with one another, and are collected together into larger bundles separated by [[septum|fibrous septa]].

==Structure==
The gluteus maximus (or buttock) is the outermost muscle of the buttocks. It arises from connections to nearby structures in this area. It arises from the posterior gluteal line of the outer upper [[ilium (bone)|ilium]], a bone of the [[pelvis]], as well as above it to the iliac crest and slightly below it; from the lower part of the [[sacrum]] and the side of the [[coccyx]], the tailbone; from the [[aponeurosis]] of the [[erector spinae]] ([[Thoracolumbar fascia|lumbodorsal fascia]]), the [[sacrotuberous ligament]], and the fascia covering the [[gluteus medius]] ([[gluteal aponeurosis]]).<ref name=Grays2016 />

The fibers are directed obliquely inferiorly and laterally;

The gluteus maximus ends in two main areas:
*those forming the upper and larger portion of the muscle, together with the superficial fibers of the lower portion, end in a thick tendinous lamina, which passes across the [[greater trochanter]], and inserts into the [[Iliotibial tract|iliotibial band]] of the [[fascia lata]];
*the deeper fibers of the lower portion are inserted into the [[gluteal tuberosity]] of the [[linea aspera]], between the [[vastus lateralis]] and [[adductor magnus]]. If present, the [[third trochanter]] also serves as an attachment.

<gallery>
File:Gerrish's Text-book of Anatomy (1902) - Fig. 349.png|Gluteus maximus of right side: outline and attachment-areas.
File:Gray235.png|Image showing the outer surface of the [[ilium (bone)|ilium]], showing the inferior gluteal line
File:Testut's Treatise on Human Anatomy (1911) - Vol 1 - Fig 339.png|Origin and attachment areas at the proximal femur. Gluteus maximus is marked with number 12.
File:Spalteholz's Hand-Atlas of Human Anatomy (1906) - Vol 1 - Fig 176-177.png|Attachment zone at the femur
File:Gluteus maximus muscle.PNG|Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions, showing origin and insertion of gluteus maximus muscle
</gallery>

===Bursae===
Three [[Bursa (anatomy)|bursae]] are usually found in relation with the deep surface of this muscle:
*One of these, of large size, separates it from the [[greater trochanter]] (''Bursa trochanterica m. glutaei maximi''),
*a second (often missing) is situated on the tuberosity of the [[ischium]] (''Bursae glutaeofemorales''),
*a third is found between the skin and the tendon of the muscle, which sometimes extends to the [[vastus lateralis]] (''Bursa trochanterica subcutanea.''<ref>[[:de:Hermann Braus|Hermann Braus]], [[:de:Curt Elze|Curt Elze]]: ''Anatomie des Menschen. Ein Lehrbuch für Studierende und Ärzte. Erster Band. Bewegungsapparat''. 3. Auflage. Julius Springer, Berlin 1954. [https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/braus1921bd1 Digitalisat der Universität Heidelberg]. S. 463 – 466.</ref>

==Function==
The gluteus maximus straightens the leg at the hip; when the leg is flexed at the hip, the gluteus maximus extends it to bring the leg into a straight line with the body.<ref name=Grays2016 /> The anus also aligns when the leg is flexed at the hip, making the muscle tighten and the pelvis tilt forward. Taking its fixed point from below, it acts upon the [[pelvis]], supporting it and the trunk upon the head of the femur; this is particularly obvious in standing on one leg. Its most powerful action is to cause the body to regain the erect position after stooping, by drawing the pelvis backward, being assisted in this action by the [[biceps femoris]] (long head), [[semitendinosus]], [[semimembranosus]], and [[adductor magnus]].

The lower part of the muscle also acts as an [[Anatomical terms of motion|adductor]] and [[external rotator]] of the limb. The upper fibers act as abductors of the hip joints.

The gluteus maximus is a tensor of the [[fascia lata]], and by its connection with the [[iliotibial band]] steadies the femur on the articular surfaces of the [[tibia]] during standing, when the extensor muscles are relaxed. Therefore, the muscle carries out an extension, a valgisation and an external rotation of the [[knee]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hahn von Dorsche |first=Herwig |title=Anatomie des Bewegungssystems |last2=Dittel |first2=Reinhard |publisher=Neuromedizin Verlag |year=2006 |isbn=978-3-930926-18-3 |edition=2nd |location=Bad Hersfeld |pages=269, 274–277 |language=DE}}</ref>

==Society and culture==

===Training===
{{Multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width = 300
| image1            = Unilateral barbell back squat squatting.jpg
| width1            = 
| caption1          = 
| image2            = Unilateral barbell back squat standing.jpg
| width2            = 
| caption2          =
| footer            = A unilateral (single leg) barbell back [[Squat (exercise)#Variants|squat]] with the raised foot positioned behind. The bar is held in the low bar style. Squats precipitate high levels of gluteal muscle activation.<ref>{{cite book |vauthors=Contreras B, Cordoza G |title=The Glute Lab |date=2019 |publisher=Victory Belt Publishing |isbn=978-1628603-46-0 |page=426}}</ref> 
}}
The gluteus maximus is involved in several sports, from running to weight-lifting. A number of exercises focus on the gluteus maximus and other muscles of the upper leg:
*Hip thrusts
*Glute bridge
*Quadruped hip extensions
*[[Kettlebell swing]]s
*[[Squat (exercise)|Squats]] and variations like split squats, unilateral squats with the raised foot positioned either backwards or forwards (pistols), and wide-stance lunges
*[[Deadlift]] (and variations)
*Reverse hyperextension
*Four-way hip extensions
*Glute-ham raise

===In art===
In cultural terms, the glutes are often considered a symbol of health and strength, and aesthetically appealing. They frequently feature in artwork which seeks to emphasise and celebrate physicality, and the ability to move dynamically and powerfully. They are usually shown to be efficiently proportioned and prominent.

Evidence of such depictions of the gluteal muscles extends from at least [[Ancient Greece]] to the modern day.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bret Contreras |first1=Glen Cordoza |title=The Glute Lab |date=2019 |publisher=Victory Belt Publishing |isbn=9781628603460 |page=5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Metraux |first1=Guy P. R. |title=Sculptures and Physicians in Fifth-Century Greece |date=1995 |publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press |location=Montreal & Kingston |isbn=0773512314 |pages=40–41}}</ref>

<gallery |gallery="" widths="200" heights="200" class="center" caption="The glutes in art">
File:Javelin thrower Ancient Greece.jpg|An Ancient Greek javelin thrower represented on a vase, c. 520 B.C.
File:Statue B Riace Bronzes side view.jpg|An Ancient Greek warrior in bronze. [[Riace Bronzes]], c. 450 B.C.
</gallery>

==Clinical significance==
Functional assessment can be useful in assessing injuries to the gluteus maximus and surrounding muscles.

The 30-second chair-to-stand test measures a participant's ability to stand up from a seated position as many times as possible in a thirty-second period of time.<ref name=OARSI>
{{cite journal
  |last1=Dobson|first1=F.
  |last2=Bennell|first2=K.
  |last3=Hinman|first3=R.
  |last4=Abbott|first4=H.
  |last5=Roos|first5=E.
  |title=OARSI recommended performance-based tests to assess physical function in people diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis
  |journal=Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
 |year=2013
 |volume=21
 |issue=8
 |pages=1042–52
 |doi=10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.002
 |pmid=23680877
 |url=http://oarsi.org/sites/default/files/docs/2013/manual.pdf
|doi-access=free}}</ref>  Testing the number of times a person can stand up in a thirty-second period helps assess strength, flexibility, pain, and endurance,<ref name=OARSI/> which can help determine how far along a person is in rehabilitation, or how much work is still to be done.

The [[piriformis]] test measures flexibility of the gluteus maximus. This requires a trained professional and is based on the angle of external and internal rotation in relation to normal range of motion without injury or impingement.<ref>{{cite web  |title=Passive Piriformis ROM|access-date=February 19, 2015|url=http://www.exrx.net/Testing/FlexFunction/LyingPiriformis.html|website=Exrx.net}}</ref>

==Other animals==
The gluteus maximus is larger in size and thicker in humans than in other [[primate]]s.<ref name=Grays2016>{{Cite book|title=Gray's anatomy: The anatomical basis of clinical practice |editor=Standring, Susan |isbn=9780702052309 |edition=41st |publisher=Elsevier Limited |location=Philadelphia |oclc=920806541 |date=2016 |chapter=Pelvic girdle, gluteal region and thigh: Gluteus maximus |pages=1357–1358}}</ref> Specifically, it is approximately 1.6 times larger relative to body mass compared to chimpanzees and comprises about 18.3% of total hip musculature mass versus 11.7% in chimpanzees.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Lieberman |first=Daniel E. |last2=Raichlen |first2=David A. |last3=Pontzer |first3=Herman |last4=Bramble |first4=Dennis M. |last5=Cutright-Smith |first5=Elizabeth |date=2006 |title=The human gluteus maximus and its role in running |url=https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/209/11/2143/16175/The-human-gluteus-maximus-and-its-role-in-running |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |language=en |volume=209 |issue=11 |pages=2143–2155 |doi=10.1242/jeb.02255 |issn=1477-9145|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Its large size is one of the most characteristic features of the muscular system in humans,<ref name="auto"/> connected as it is with the power of maintaining the trunk in the erect posture. Other primates have much flatter hips and cannot sustain standing erectly.<ref name="Hogervorst"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stern |first1=Jack T. |last2=Susman |first2=Randall L. |title=Electromyography of the gluteal muscles in ''Hylobates'', ''Pongo'', and ''Pan'': Implications for the evolution of hominid bipedality |journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology |date=June 1981 |volume=55 |issue=2 |pages=153–166 |doi=10.1002/ajpa.1330550203}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Ischiofemoralis|Gluteus maximus proprius}}
In other primates, the correlate to the human gluteus maximus consists of the '''ischiofemoralis''', a small muscle that corresponds to the human gluteus maximus and originates from the ilium and the [[sacroiliac joint#Ligaments|ligaments of the sacroiliac]], and the '''gluteus maximus proprius''', a large muscle that extends from the [[ischial tuberosity]] to a relatively more distant insertion on the femur. In adapting to bipedal gait, reorganization of the attachment of the muscle as well as the [[moment (physics)|moment]] arm was required.<ref name="Hogervorst">{{cite journal |last1=Hogervorst |first1=T. |last2=Vereecke |first2=E. E. | title = Evolution of the human hip. Part 2: muscling the double extension | journal = Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery | volume=2 |issue=1 |pages = 3–14 | date =January 2015 | pmid = 27011809| doi = 10.1093/jhps/hnu014| pmc = 4718477 }}</ref>

== Running ==
The human gluteus maximus plays multiple important functional roles, particularly in running rather than walking. During running, it helps control trunk flexion, aids in decelerating the swing leg, and contributes to hip extension. During level walking, the muscle shows minimal activity, suggesting its enlargement was not primarily adapted for walking.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Niinimäki |first=Sirpa |last2=Härkönen |first2=Laura |last3=Nikander |first3=Riku |last4=Abe |first4=Shinya |last5=Knüsel |first5=Christopher |last6=Sievänen |first6=Harri |date=2016 |title=The cross-sectional area of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to habitual exercise loading: Implications for activity-related and evolutionary studies |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0018442X15000761 |journal=Homo |language=en |volume=67 |issue=2 |pages=125–137 |doi=10.1016/j.jchb.2015.06.005|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The muscle's size and position make it uniquely suited for controlling trunk position during rapid movements and stabilizing the trunk against flexion. While traditionally associated with maintaining erect posture, evidence suggests its enlargement was more likely selected for its role in running capability and trunk stabilization during various dynamic activities. These adaptations would have been particularly important for activities like running and climbing in early human evolution.<ref name=":0" />

==Additional images==
<gallery>
File:Gluteus all.gif|All gluteal muscles, maximus in yellow
File:Sobo 1909 318.png|Gluteus maximus is the most superficial muscle of the [[hips]], here visible at top centre with skin removed from the entire right leg. Note its rather thin fascia.
File:Sobo 1909 294.png|The gluteus maximus, with surrounding fascia. Right buttock, viewed from behind, skin covering removed.
File:Sobo 1909 575-576.png|Innervation and blood-supply of the gluteus maximus
File:Sobo 1909 301.png|Gluteus maximus cut showing underlying structures
File:Sobo 1909 295.png|Structures visible under the gluteus maximus
File:Sobo 1909 577-578.png|Innervation as seen from under the gluteus maximus
File:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right [[hip-joint]] (gluteus maximus visible at bottom)
File:Braus 1921 249.png|Surface anatomy of the upper leg, lateral view. x = Gluteus maximus, xx = Vastus lateralis, .. = Biceps femoris, . = Tendon of the biceps femoris / Capitulum fibulae.
File:Braus 1921 248.png|Superficial muscles of the body, lateral view
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Anatomy}}
*
* [[List of skeletal muscles of the human body]]

==References==
{{Gray's}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category multi|Gluteus maximus muscles|Human dissection}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-female-17}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-15}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pembody/body18b}}

{{Muscles of lower limb}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hip adductors]]
[[Category:Hip extensors]]
[[Category:Hip lateral rotators]]
[[Category:Muscles of the gluteus]]
[[Category:Hip muscles]]
[[Category:Muscles of the lower limb]]