The gluteus medius is a fan-shaped muscle on the outer surface of the ilium beneath the gluteus maximus. It inserts on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter and is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve. It abducts the thigh and keeps the pelvis level when walking.
| Origin | Outer surface of the ilium between the anterior and posterior gluteal lines. |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur. |
| Innervation | Superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1). |
| Blood supply | Superior gluteal artery. |
| Action | Abducts the thigh; anterior fibres medially rotate and posterior fibres laterally rotate; stabilises the pelvis during single-leg stance. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
During walking, the gluteus medius on the standing side stops the pelvis from dropping toward the swinging leg.
A drop of the pelvis on the unsupported side during single-leg stance, caused by weakness of the gluteus medius and minimus on the standing side.
The superior gluteal nerve.
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