KnotesFree Orthopaedic & FRCS notes, viva stations and higher order SBAs
Random notes

Muscles of hip

Random notesthinKbox SBA
Muscle Origin Insertion Nerve Supply
Gluteus Maximus Ilium, sacrum, coccyx Iliotibial band (ITB) & gluteal tuberosity of femur Inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2)
Gluteus Medius Ilium Greater trochanter Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1)
Gluteus Minimus Ilium Greater trochanter Superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5, S1)
Piriformis Sacrum Greater trochanter Nerve to piriformis (S1, S2)
Superior Gemellus Ischium Greater trochanter Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2)
Obturator Internus Obturator membrane & foramen Greater trochanter Nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2)
Inferior Gemellus Ischium Greater trochanter Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1)
Quadratus Femoris Ischium Intertrochanteric crest of femur Nerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1)
Obturator Externus Outer surface of obturator membrane Trochanteric fossa Obturator nerve (L3, L4)
Pectineus Pecten pubis Pectineal line of femur Femoral nerve (L2, L3) (occasional obturator branch)
Psoas Major T12–L5 vertebral bodies & transverse processes Lesser trochanter Ventral rami of L1–L3
Iliacus Iliac fossa Lesser trochanter Femoral nerve (L2, L3)

Quick Summary by Function

  • Extensor of hip: Gluteus maximus
  • Abductors of hip: Gluteus medius, minimus
  • Lateral rotators: Piriformis, gemelli, obturators, quadratus femoris
  • Flexors of hip: Iliopsoas (iliacus + psoas), pectineus

Related FRCS revision notes

ComplicationsTHR BiomechanicsFemoral head supplyClinical Examination of the HipTotal Hip Replacement in Post TraumaAdult Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Linked from

← Random notes← Complications← Short external rotators of the hip

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026

Core revision references: Miller's Review of Orthopaedics; Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics; Orthobullets. Current specialty guidelines are linked within individual notes where applicable.