Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitationSummary

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Anatomy

Function

Associated Conditions

Rehabilitation

Summary

The gluteus maximus muscle is the largest gluteal muscle in the buttocks. It is the primary muscle that extends and laterally rotates the hip and moves the hip toward the middle of the body (adduction) and away from the middle of the body (abduction).Additionally, it is involved in keeping the body upright through the support of the bony pelvis and trunk.

This article describes the anatomy, location, and function of the gluteus maximus. It also discusses potential injuries and subsequent muscle rehabilitation.

The muscles that make up what’s most commonly referred to as the glutes are the gluteus maximus,gluteus mediusand the gluteus minimus. The gluteus medius runs underneath the gluteus maximus, and the gluteus minimus is located in front (or underneath) of the gluteus medius.

Structure

The gluteus maximus is one of the strongest muscles in the body. Fibers from the muscle enter different body parts, including thefemur(also known as the thighbone) and the iliotibial tract or band, which comprises connective tissue that runs up the thigh.

Nerve Supply

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Unrecognizable athletic woman exercising on stationary bike in a gym.

Location

The gluteus maximus muscle lies over the top of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. It makes up the buttocks and defines their shape. The gluteus maximus is commonly called a superficial muscle, which is what muscles that help provide shape are sometimes referred to.

The origin of the gluteus maximus is on thesacrum(a bony shield-like structure at the bottom of the lumbar vertebrae), theilium(the upper, large part of the hip bone), thethoracolumbar fascia(tissue that connects the muscles in the lower part of the body like the buttocks and hips), and thesacrotuberousligaments (which are attached to the posterior superior iliac spine).

The gluteus maximus slopes at a 45-degree angle from the pelvis to the buttocks and then inserts at the gluteal tuberosity of the femur and the iliotibial tract.

Anatomical Variations

In rare cases, a duplicate muscle may originate from the gluteus maximus muscle. Or, what’s more common is that the gluteus maximus muscle fibers may be inserted into different parts of the body and femur than where they are typically inserted.

This can cause a condition called greatertrochantericpain syndrome (GTPS). Inflammation of the gluteus medius and minimum tendons andinflammation of the bursacan also cause GTPS. Someone with GTPS will have tenderness or a pulsing feeling on the outer side of the hip and thigh when lying on the side, as well as other symptoms.

The gluteus maximus extends and externally rotates the hip joint, stabilizing and moving it both away and toward the body. It is most vigorously engaged when effort or force is produced in activities like running, climbing, or hiking.

Any movement that takes your leg backward and out to the side away from the body is likely with effort from the gluteus maximus muscle.

The most common condition associated with the gluteus maximus is amuscle strain. Deep gluteus maximus syndrome is another condition that can cause pain and involves the muscles.

Muscle Strain

A gluteus maximus muscle strain can result from stretching and working the muscle so much that it becomes overstretched or tears.This can happen from overexercising or not warming up or cooling down properly after exercising. Alternatively, not exercising and not utilizing your gluteus maximus can cause it to weaken, which can lead tolower back pain,hip pain, and stability and posture issues.

Deep Gluteus Maximus Syndrome

Deep gluteus maximus syndrome causes pain in the buttocks and happenswhen the sciatic nerve becomes entrappedin the gluteal space.The location of the pain can help your healthcare provider determine where the nerve is entrapped.

Those with deep gluteus maximus syndrome may experience various types of discomfort, including:

To diagnose this condition, your healthcare provider may perform a physical exam and various tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

If you havepain in the lower extremitiesand think your gluteus maximus may be the cause, it’s important to make an appointment with aphysical therapist. The therapist will evaluate the strength of your gluteus maximus muscles to diagnose any strain or weakness. From there, they will develop a plan to help your gluteus maximus muscle heal. In the case of strain, this will include stretches once the strain is rested and improves.

Outer Hip Stretches and Exercises for Low Back Pain Relief

It’s also recommended that if you’ve strained your gluteus maximus, you take a few days up to a week off to rest the muscle or, at the very least, stop doing the activity that caused you to strain the muscle. You can also treat a mildly strained gluteus maximus muscle with ice and over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen.

For weak gluteus maximus, your physical therapist will help you strengthen the muscle with a tailored program of exercises to strengthen the gluteus maximus and the surrounding muscles in the glutes.

Treatment for deep gluteus maximus syndrome may include conservative treatment, such asphysical therapy, medications for pain and inflammation, and injections. If these measures do not relieve the pain, your healthcare provider may recommend surgical options.

If you’re unsure where to start to deal with your gluteus maximus pain or don’t know how to find a physical therapist, start with an appointment with your general practitioner, who can help diagnose your lower extremity pain and point you in the right direction for finding a physical therapist if needed.

The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body and is responsible for hip extension, external rotation, adduction, and abduction. It is also vital to the ability to stand upright. When the gluteus maximus is strained, injured, or even simply weak, it can lead to pain and inflammation. Working with a physical therapist can help you develop the strength you need to heal. If you are concerned about pain or inflammation in your gluteus maximus, see a healthcare provider.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Neto WK, Soares EG, Vieira TL, et al.Gluteus maximus activation during common strength and hypertrophy exercises: a systematic review.J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(1):195-203.Carro LP, Hernando MF, Cerezal L, Navarro IS, Fernandez AA, Castillo AO.Deep gluteal space problems: piriformis syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement and sciatic nerve release.Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016;6(3):384–396. doi:10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.384Taylor V, Guttmann GD, Reeves RE. A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus.International Journal of Anatomical Variations. 2015;8(1).Falótico GG, Torquato DF, Roim TC, Takata ET, de Castro Pochini A, Ejnisman B.Gluteal pain in athletes: how should it be investigated and treated?Rev Bras Ortop. 2015;50(4):462–468. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2015.07.002Jeong UC, Sim JH, Kim CY, Hwang-Bo G, Nam CW.The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(12):3813–3816. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.3813Martin HD, Reddy M, Gómez-Hoyos J.Deep gluteal syndrome.J Hip Preserv Surg. 2015;2(2):99-107. doi:10.1093/jhps/hnv029Additional ReadingKenhub GmbH.The Gluteus Maximus Muscle.Physiopedia.Gluteus Maximus.Teach Me Anatomy.Muscles of the Gluteal Region.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Neto WK, Soares EG, Vieira TL, et al.Gluteus maximus activation during common strength and hypertrophy exercises: a systematic review.J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(1):195-203.Carro LP, Hernando MF, Cerezal L, Navarro IS, Fernandez AA, Castillo AO.Deep gluteal space problems: piriformis syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement and sciatic nerve release.Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016;6(3):384–396. doi:10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.384Taylor V, Guttmann GD, Reeves RE. A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus.International Journal of Anatomical Variations. 2015;8(1).Falótico GG, Torquato DF, Roim TC, Takata ET, de Castro Pochini A, Ejnisman B.Gluteal pain in athletes: how should it be investigated and treated?Rev Bras Ortop. 2015;50(4):462–468. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2015.07.002Jeong UC, Sim JH, Kim CY, Hwang-Bo G, Nam CW.The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(12):3813–3816. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.3813Martin HD, Reddy M, Gómez-Hoyos J.Deep gluteal syndrome.J Hip Preserv Surg. 2015;2(2):99-107. doi:10.1093/jhps/hnv029Additional ReadingKenhub GmbH.The Gluteus Maximus Muscle.Physiopedia.Gluteus Maximus.Teach Me Anatomy.Muscles of the Gluteal Region.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Neto WK, Soares EG, Vieira TL, et al.Gluteus maximus activation during common strength and hypertrophy exercises: a systematic review.J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(1):195-203.Carro LP, Hernando MF, Cerezal L, Navarro IS, Fernandez AA, Castillo AO.Deep gluteal space problems: piriformis syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement and sciatic nerve release.Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016;6(3):384–396. doi:10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.384Taylor V, Guttmann GD, Reeves RE. A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus.International Journal of Anatomical Variations. 2015;8(1).Falótico GG, Torquato DF, Roim TC, Takata ET, de Castro Pochini A, Ejnisman B.Gluteal pain in athletes: how should it be investigated and treated?Rev Bras Ortop. 2015;50(4):462–468. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2015.07.002Jeong UC, Sim JH, Kim CY, Hwang-Bo G, Nam CW.The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(12):3813–3816. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.3813Martin HD, Reddy M, Gómez-Hoyos J.Deep gluteal syndrome.J Hip Preserv Surg. 2015;2(2):99-107. doi:10.1093/jhps/hnv029

Neto WK, Soares EG, Vieira TL, et al.Gluteus maximus activation during common strength and hypertrophy exercises: a systematic review.J Sports Sci Med. 2020;19(1):195-203.

Carro LP, Hernando MF, Cerezal L, Navarro IS, Fernandez AA, Castillo AO.Deep gluteal space problems: piriformis syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement and sciatic nerve release.Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2016;6(3):384–396. doi:10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.384

Taylor V, Guttmann GD, Reeves RE. A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus.International Journal of Anatomical Variations. 2015;8(1).

Falótico GG, Torquato DF, Roim TC, Takata ET, de Castro Pochini A, Ejnisman B.Gluteal pain in athletes: how should it be investigated and treated?Rev Bras Ortop. 2015;50(4):462–468. doi:10.1016/j.rboe.2015.07.002

Jeong UC, Sim JH, Kim CY, Hwang-Bo G, Nam CW.The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(12):3813–3816. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.3813

Martin HD, Reddy M, Gómez-Hoyos J.Deep gluteal syndrome.J Hip Preserv Surg. 2015;2(2):99-107. doi:10.1093/jhps/hnv029

Kenhub GmbH.The Gluteus Maximus Muscle.Physiopedia.Gluteus Maximus.Teach Me Anatomy.Muscles of the Gluteal Region.

Kenhub GmbH.The Gluteus Maximus Muscle.

Physiopedia.Gluteus Maximus.

Teach Me Anatomy.Muscles of the Gluteal Region.

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