The muscle usually named as the largest in the human body by mass
Gluteus maximus — the 'largest muscle' claim is by mass; latissimus dorsi has the greater surface area.
Anatomy · Muscles
Gluteus maximus
Largest muscle in the body by mass
Lower limb · gluteal region
Gluteus maximus is the large, coarse-fibred muscle that forms the bulk of the buttock. It arises from the sacrum, coccyx, back of the ilium and sacrotuberous ligament and inserts mainly into the iliotibial tract, with a deeper part on the femur. It is the chief extensor of the hip and is supplied by the inferior gluteal nerve.
How to spot them
- ▸The most superficial and bulkiest of the three gluteal muscles, shaping the buttock
- ▸Coarse fibres run obliquely downward and outward from sacrum and ilium
- ▸Its lower border crosses the gluteal fold obliquely; the ischial tuberosity lies beneath it when standing
- ▸Most of its tendon joins the iliotibial tract down the outer thigh
What to know
A muscle supplied by the inferior gluteal nerve (L5–S2), which passes below piriformis
Gluteus maximus.
The chief extensor of the hip, called on for climbing stairs, rising from a chair and sprinting rather than level walking
Gluteus maximus.
Three-quarters of its fibres end in the iliotibial tract, the rest on the gluteal tuberosity of the femur
Gluteus maximus.
It covers the ischial tuberosity when standing but leaves it bare when the hip is flexed in sitting
Gluteus maximus.
The muscle that gives the buttock its shape, lying superficial to gluteus medius and minimus
Gluteus maximus.
Key ideas
- It acts powerfully only when the hip is flexed and effort is needed, such as climbing, running and rising; in quiet level walking it is relatively inactive.
- It is a strong lateral rotator of the thigh, and its upper part abducts while the lower part adducts.
Quick-fire facts
- •Origin: posterior gluteal line of the ilium, posterior sacrum and coccyx, sacrotuberous ligament, thoracolumbar fascia.
- •Insertion: about three-quarters into the iliotibial tract; the deep fibres into the gluteal tuberosity of the femur.
- •Nerve supply: inferior gluteal nerve (L5–S2).
- •Actions: extends and laterally rotates the hip; upper fibres abduct, lower fibres adduct.
- •It is generally described as the largest muscle in the body by mass or volume; latissimus dorsi is often cited as the largest by surface area.
- •Kenhub calls it the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles.
- •Gluteus is from the Greek gloutos, the buttock; maximus is Latin for greatest.
Drill it — 6 cards
1 / 6new card