gluteus maximus muscle

Also known as glutes

largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles

Key facts

Origin: Gluteal surface of ilium , lumbar fascia , sacrum , sacrotuberous ligament
Insertion: Gluteal tuberosity of the femur and iliotibial tract
Artery: Superior and inferior gluteal arteries
Nerve: Inferior gluteal nerve ( L5 , S1 and S2 nerve roots )
Actions: External rotation and 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 , psoas major and psoas minor
Latin: musculus glutaeus maximus
Ta98: A04.7.02.006

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Gluteus maximus 3D.gif

Sources (3)

Article

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. Its thick fleshy mass, in a quadrilateral shape, forms the prominence of the buttocks. The other gluteal muscles are the medius and 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, 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.