Superior gemellus muscle

Superior gemellus muscle

The superior gemellus and nearby muscles

Muscles of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions. Gemellus superior muscle labeled
Details
Origin spine of the ischium
Insertion Obturator Internus tendon
Artery Inferior gluteal artery
Nerve nerve to obturator internus (L5, S1, S2)
Actions Laterally rotates thigh
Identifiers
Latin Musculus gemellus superior
TA A04.7.02.013
FMA 22318

Anatomical terms of muscle

The superior gemellus muscle is a muscle of the human body.

The Gemelli are two small muscular fasciculi, accessories to the tendon of the Obturator internus which is received into a groove between them.

The Gemellus superior, the smaller of the two, arises from the outer (gluteal) surface of the spine of the ischium, blends with the upper part of the tendon of the Obturator internus. In some people, the fibres of the gemellus superior extend further than average, and are prolonged onto the medial surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.[1]

The gemellus superior and gemellus inferior help to laterally rotate the extended thigh.[2] Both muscles also help to steady the femoral head in the acetabulum by assisting the obturator internus muscle, "The gemelli aid obturator internus in its action. As obturator internus turns around the lesser sciatic notch it loses some of its power; this is compensated for by the action of the gemelli."[3]

Etymology: Gemellus is the diminutive of "geminus" meaning twin, doubled or duplicated. The superior and inferior Gemellus muscles are paired and perform the same action.

See also

Inferior gemellus muscle

Additional images

References

  1. ↑ Palastanga, NIgel; Soames, Roger (November 2011). Physiotherapy Essentials : Anatomy and Human Movement : Structure and Function (6th ed.). London, GBR: Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 237. ISBN 9780702035531.
  2. ↑ Palastanga, NIgel; Soames, Roger (November 2011). Physiotherapy Essentials : Anatomy and Human Movement : Structure and Function (6th ed.). London, GBR: Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 235. ISBN 9780702035531.
  3. ↑ Palastanga and Soames, p. 237.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)


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