The lateral musculature of the hip is generally considered a driver of hip abduction, with the abductors being moderate- to small-sized muscles that range in position from superficial to deep. These muscles overlap each other as they course along the lateral ilium and over the hip joint to their attachments on the femur and below.
Figure 1: The lateral musculature of the hip
Gluteus medius – The gluteus medius attaches proximally to the ilium along and just inferior to the iliac crest. It also attaches to an assemblage of connective tissues called the gluteal aponeurosis and attaches distally to the lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur. The muscle belly is covered partially, about one-third to the posterior, by the gluteus maximus.
The gluteus medius acts to move the femur away from midline (i.e., abduction). This occurs if the pelvis is the most stable structure. If the foot is planted, the primary function becomes postural. Both of these functions are active during ambulation (walking, jogging, running, etc.). As the gluteus medius assists in the support of the body while on one leg, it prevents the pelvis from dropping to the opposite side and interfering with the unsupported leg’s movement.
It also can act as either an external rotator or an internal rotator of the femur. With a flexed hip, it is an external rotator. With an extended hip, it is an internal rotator.
Tensor fascia latae – This is an odd-looking small muscle with an exceedingly long inferior tendon. The muscle attaches proximally along the outer lip of the iliac crest and from the anterior superior iliac spine. The actual muscle is just a few inches long, but its inferior attachment is quite distal, below the knee. The tendon becomes insinuated within the two layers of the iliotibial band (or tract) along the upper third of the thigh. The term “fascia latae” refers to the sheath of connective tissue investing the leg from the sacrum down to the knee. The iliotibial band or tract portion of the fascia latae terminates at the lateral epicondyle of the femur and the head of the fibula.
Functionally, when the pelvis is the most stable structure, the slightly oblique arrangement of the tensor fascia latae’s fibers enables it to abduct the thigh, though it does not contribute significantly due to its very small size. It can also assist with internal rotation and flexion of the hip. If the foot is planted, as in a normal standing posture, the tensor fascia latae carries out the task it is named for and acts as a “tensor” of the fascia latae, adding tension to the connective tissue surrounding the gluteal group and thigh. In this role, it will help stabilize the pelvis as it rests on the head of the femur. The muscle’s attachment to the iliotibial band allows it to also stabilize the articulation of the femur and the tibia.
Gluteus minimus – The smallest of the gluteal group, the gluteus minimus is a fan-shaped muscle, attaching proximally to the outer surface of the ilium well below the iliac crest. At the base of the fan is a tendon that crosses over the hip joint and attaches distally to the anterior and lateral portion of the greater trochanter of the femur. The muscle body is deep, largely underlying the gluteus medius.
Due to its diminutive size, the gluteus minimus is a weak abductor of the femur. If the foot is planted and stable, it is a postural stabilizer of the hip. As with the gluteus medius, the gluteus minimus assists in the support of the body while on one leg, thus preventing the pelvis from dropping to the opposite side and interfering with the unsupported leg’s movement.
Additional Reading
To learn more about human movement and the CrossFit methodology, visit CrossFit Training.
Comments on Hip Musculature, Part 3: Lateral Muscles
Ma perché continuate a pubblicare pezzi di libri di anatomia???? A cosa serve??? Quanti lo leggono????
Why are you posting anatomy books chapters? How many people are interested in such a thing. Crossfit is not about anatomy...
More people are interested in this than you might realise, especially coaches who would like to serve their clients/members better. More knowledge and information is a good thing.... Knowledge not shared or used is useless.
Unlike bodybuilding, CrossFit prioritizes movements over muscles. That doesn't mean we should not strive to understand how the body works. Many of the pre-CrossFit training certifications placed a heavy emphasis on muscle physiology and metabolic pathways, but did not teach their trainers how to properly squat. I completely support CrossFit in teaching the fundamentals of movement first, but I don't see any harm in publishing beautifully drawn, well written information on anatomy.
Giacomo,
Understanding the elements of anatomy of the human body (and
its physiology) has been central to the delivery of exercise training for at
least a couple centuries. We often forget that science conducted in the 1700s
and 1800s in respect to preparing soldiers for battle found its way into
commercial gyms as recreational fitness became commonplace. In the late 1800s,
coaches and trainers sat in the same anatomy classrooms with physicians at university.
Things have changed and fitness professional education and medical education
has greatly diverged, but the need for an understanding of anatomy and physiology
remains. To use a very crude analogy, you can’t modify a car engine to generate
more horsepower or better fuel efficiency without knowing the anatomy of an
engine and how to use tools to make needed modifications.
The more we know and learn, the better we are at coaching
and explaining why our coaching methods work.
I have to say thanks to you here as well. Your reference to
this series of publications as “anatomy books chapters” is a very nice compliment
I appreciate. I’ve drawn each set of illustrations and created the accompanying texts
specifically for CrossFit.com. HQ makes all this available as free and open
access information to aid in the development of not only trainers in the
CrossFit space but also to the wider fitness world. No other
fitness organization, for-profit or non-profit, provides this level of investment
in creating better trainers.
Cheers,
Lon
It would be interesting if you did an article on those who do CrossFit who have had major joints replaced. The limitations and achievements. I hadn’t been to any gym until after having both hips replaced. My son was a cf coach. He recommended CrossFit because of the health and strength priorities. I am now a bit addicted to CrossFit, love the challenges even thought I can’t RX some words due to medical limitations (ie: no running, no jumping) I'd be interested to know how many people participate with different joints being replaced
Dear Robyn
I am very interested in your history and comments. I am up for both hip replacements starting March 30. I’ve been training CrossFit for 3 years come this April, and I really enjoy the exercise and comradery. Our gym is like a family. I just found out one of our top athletes is a nurse and she will be taking care of me on the ortho floor after surgery.
My doc says there is no president for hip replacement patients doing cross fit. My motto is to do what you can do, go light with more reps, avoid running, and probably jump rope . But I still feel I can participate
Can you share the feedback you received from your doctor in CrossFit and your experience? That would help
thanks Robyn
jules LoRusso
Hamden, CT
jlorusso1@icloud.com
Hip Musculature, Part 3: Lateral Muscles
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