Gemellus+inferior

toc = = =Description= The gemellus inferior is one of the gluteal muscles located within the pelvic region. It is elongated in shape. This muscle runs diagonally from the upper boarder of the ischial tuberosity, it passes laterally and posterior to the neck of the femur, joining with the tendon of the obturator internus muscle, where it then inserts at the middle part of the medial aspect of the greater trochanter of the femur. Its actions are to laterally rotate and stabilize the hip. This muscle also extends the thigh, and performs abduction of the hip joint when the thigh is in the flexed position. The nerve supplying the gemellus inferior is the nerve to the obturator internus as well as the nerve to the quadratus femoris- a branch of the sacral plexus. Its arterial supply is the inferior gluteal artery. =Interactions and relations to other Muscles= Gemellus inferior is located between obturator internus and obturator externus. Gemellus inferior forms part of the six deep lateral rotator muscles of the hip. The six muscles are the piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, obturator externus and the quadratus femoris. These are synergists of the gemellus inferior. The gemellus inferior is antagonized by the iliotibial band and tensor fasciae latae. =Relevance to Occupational Therapy = As occupational therapists it is essential that we know all the muscles, not only of the limbs but of the body as we are involved in rehabilitating the patient to perform optimally in daily activites and occupations. As an OT range of motion, the full movement potential of a joint, usually its range of flexion and extension, evaluations are done frequently in order to evaluate their patients. To assess gemellus inferior, the patient sits with the hip at 90 degrees, Refer to figure 6-94 and the patient must then externally rotate the hip to assess range of motion. The OT works together with the physiotherapist with rehabilitation. Once the physio has achieved the desired goals regarding exercise the OT can then help the patient in perfoming daily activities which may have been affected by an injury to the muscle. In this case if the gemellus inferior is injured there may be issues with the lateral rotation of the hip. For example, if the patient does swimming or gardening for leisure, the OT will then help the patient to perform the gardening in a squatted position or breaststroke in swimming as strengthening exercises in a graded manner.
 * Author: Azande Kubheka**

=**Links to online interactive material**= media type="youtube" key="CyBvIt29fL4" height="315" width="560"

media type="youtube" key="xWUzy22Hld8" height="315" width="560" =**References**= [] [] Musculoskeletal Assessment: Joint Range of Motion and Manual Muscle Strength Occupational Therapy Manual for Evaluation of Range of Motion and Muscle ...