Vol 68, No 2 (2009)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2009-02-25
The functional anatomy of hip abductors
A. Al-Hayani
Folia Morphol 2009;68(2):98-103.
Vol 68, No 2 (2009)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2009-02-25
Abstract
The gluteal region was dissected in 18 adult cadavers. The attachments, directions,
and orientations of the fibres of the tensor fasciae latae, gluteus medius,
and gluteus minimus muscles were noted. The gluteus medius was found to be
formed of three distinct parts, while the gluteus minimus was formed of two
parts only; each part of these muscles had its separate innervations from the
superior gluteal nerve. The tensor fasciae latae muscle arose from the anterior
part of the outer lip of the iliac crest and was attached to the iliotibial tract
slightly below and in front of the greater trochanter. The direction of the fibres
of the anterior and middle parts of the gluteus medius and the anterior part of
the gluteus minimus suggested that they have vertical pull and initiate abduction
which is then completed by the tensor fasciae latae. The function of the
posterior parts of the gluteus medius and minimus, being parallel to the neck
of the femur, would be stabilization of the femoral head in the acetabulum
during the different stages of the gait cycle. By resolving the line of action of
the tensor fasciae latae muscle, it was found to help the muscle to fix the hip
and femur together during the stance phase and to counteract the weight of
the body during standing position.
Abstract
The gluteal region was dissected in 18 adult cadavers. The attachments, directions,
and orientations of the fibres of the tensor fasciae latae, gluteus medius,
and gluteus minimus muscles were noted. The gluteus medius was found to be
formed of three distinct parts, while the gluteus minimus was formed of two
parts only; each part of these muscles had its separate innervations from the
superior gluteal nerve. The tensor fasciae latae muscle arose from the anterior
part of the outer lip of the iliac crest and was attached to the iliotibial tract
slightly below and in front of the greater trochanter. The direction of the fibres
of the anterior and middle parts of the gluteus medius and the anterior part of
the gluteus minimus suggested that they have vertical pull and initiate abduction
which is then completed by the tensor fasciae latae. The function of the
posterior parts of the gluteus medius and minimus, being parallel to the neck
of the femur, would be stabilization of the femoral head in the acetabulum
during the different stages of the gait cycle. By resolving the line of action of
the tensor fasciae latae muscle, it was found to help the muscle to fix the hip
and femur together during the stance phase and to counteract the weight of
the body during standing position.
Keywords
gluteus medius; gluteus minimus; tensor fasciae latae; hip abductors
Title
The functional anatomy of hip abductors
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 68, No 2 (2009)
Article type
Original article
Pages
98-103
Published online
2009-02-25
Page views
2247
Article views/downloads
4203
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2009;68(2):98-103.
Keywords
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
tensor fasciae latae
hip abductors
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