Gluteus+minimus

**Author:** Thathakahle Hadebe

toc =Description = The gluteus minimusis located in the gluteal region. This muscle is known for its fan-shape. It originates from the external iliac fossa. This muscle lies deep to the muscle gluteus medius and its fibres run in an inferior and lateral oblique direction. Anatomical researchers have found that many individuals tend to have a variety of different insertions for this muscle, however the common insertion areas are the anterior surface of the greater tronchanter, the external side of the anterior rim of the greater tronchanter and superior aspect of the capsule of the hip. The main function of this muscle is to help stabilise the head of the femur in the acetabulum when an individual is walking. This muscle also works in association with other muscles and primarily abducts the hip when the hip is in extension. It also rotates the hip internally by pulling the greater tronchanter into the anterior direction. Its blood supply is from the superior gluteal artery and it is innervated by the superior gluteal nerve (which arises from the L4, L5, and S1). =Interactions and relations to other Muscles = Gluteus minimus is a flat muscle that is located in the gluteal region along with the muscle it is a synergist of, and also lies inferiorly to, namely, the gluteus medius muscle. These muscles share their origins, course and also their insertion sites. This results in these muscles being responsible for the same actions, namely hip abduction and medial rotation. The gluteus minimus is an antagonist of the hip adductors as well as the lateral rotator group of the hip. Another everyday action performed by the gluteus medius and minimus, is that they secure or stabilise the hip joint while walking. There are of course other muscles that lie along with the gluteus minimus muscle within the gluteal compartment namely, piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior and quadratus femoris (these are all listed according to proximal to the most inferiorly distal muscle). The muscles mentioned above are collectively known as the lateral rotator group. =Relevance to Physiotherapy = The physiotherapy profession primarily focuses on using hands-on tactics to facilitate the physical treatment and rehabilitation of a patient that has lost the mobility in any of their limbs. This could be losing a joint range of movement due to surgery, injury or maybe a chronic disease. The Gluteus minimus muscle is usually associated with chronic pain in the lower back region( this is also referred to as the lumbar and sacral region). Various muscles are affected by this condition but the iliopsoas muscle, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and erector spinae muscles are weakened in their action, a cause of this would be muscle atrophy (the wasting away of muscle tissue). After assessment the physiotherapist would then proceed to use home-based treatment with low-intensity exercises that would focus on building the endurance for these specific muscles, these are referred to as “dynamic spinal stabilization exercises” Larry Legier, DC(2004 p. 200-205). These exercises would of course be hampered by various other techniques such as massage therapy, hydrotherapy etc. The physio would not only give the patient treatment during sessions, but would ensure that the patient does graded exercise at home to ensure muscle strengthening. = = =Links to online interactive material = media type="youtube" key="xKtGLQW5pwU" height="315" width="560"

media type="youtube" key="lRK2SxEjiW8" height="315" width="420"

=References=
 * []
 * []
 * []
 * []