Gluteus maximus

The gluteus maximus (or buttock) is the outermost muscle of the buttocks. It arises from connections to nearby structures in this area. It arises from the posterior gluteal line of the outer upper ilium, a bone of the pelvis, as well as above it to the iliac crest and slightly below it; from the lower part of the sacrum and the side of the coccyx, the tailbone; from the aponeurosis of the erector spinae (lumbodorsal fascia), the sacrotuberous ligament, and the fascia covering the gluteus medius (gluteal aponeurosis). ==Function==

The gluteus maximus straightens the leg at the hip; when the leg is flexed at the hip, the gluteus maximus extends it to bring the leg into a straight line with the body. ==Society and culture==

Training The gluteus maximus is involved in several sports, from running to weight-lifting. A number of exercises focus on the gluteus maximus and other muscles of the upper leg: • Hip thrusts • Glute bridge • Quadruped hip extensions • Kettlebell swings • Squats and variations like split squats, unilateral squats with the raised foot positioned either backwards or forwards (pistols), and wide-stance lunges • Deadlift (and variations) • Reverse hyperextension • Four-way hip extensions • Glute-ham raise In art In cultural terms, the glutes are often considered a symbol of health and strength, and aesthetically appealing. They frequently feature in artwork which seeks to emphasise and celebrate physicality, and the ability to move dynamically and powerfully. They are usually shown to be efficiently proportioned and prominent. Evidence of such depictions of the gluteal muscles extends from at least Ancient Greece to the modern day. File:Javelin thrower Ancient Greece.jpg|An Ancient Greek javelin thrower represented on a vase, c. 520 B.C. File:Statue B Riace Bronzes side view.jpg|An Ancient Greek warrior in bronze. Riace Bronzes, c. 450 B.C. ==Clinical significance==

Functional assessment can be useful in assessing injuries to the gluteus maximus and surrounding muscles. The 30-second chair-to-stand test measures a participant's ability to stand up from a seated position as many times as possible in a thirty-second period of time. ==Other animals==

The gluteus maximus is larger in size and thicker in humans than in other primates. Specifically, it is approximately 1.6 times larger relative to body mass compared to chimpanzees and comprises about 18.3% of total hip musculature mass versus 11.7% in chimpanzees. Its large size is one of the most characteristic features of the muscular system in humans, In other primates, the correlate to the human gluteus maximus consists of the ischiofemoralis, a small muscle that corresponds to the human gluteus maximus and originates from the ilium and the ligaments of the sacroiliac, and the gluteus maximus proprius, a large muscle that extends from the ischial tuberosity to a relatively more distant insertion on the femur. In adapting to bipedal gait, reorganization of the attachment of the muscle as well as the moment arm was required. == Running ==

The human gluteus maximus plays multiple important functional roles, particularly in running rather than walking. During running, it helps control trunk flexion, aids in decelerating the swing leg, and contributes to hip extension. During level walking, the muscle shows minimal activity, suggesting its enlargement was not primarily adapted for walking. The muscle's size and position make it uniquely suited for controlling trunk position during rapid movements and stabilizing the trunk against flexion. While traditionally associated with maintaining erect posture, evidence suggests its enlargement was more likely selected for its role in running capability and trunk stabilization during various dynamic activities. These adaptations would have been particularly important for activities like running and climbing in early human evolution. ==Additional images==

File:Gluteus all.gif|All gluteal muscles, maximus in yellow File:Sobo 1909 318.png|Gluteus maximus is the most superficial muscle of the hips, here visible at top centre with skin removed from the entire right leg. Note its rather thin fascia. File:Sobo 1909 294.png|The gluteus maximus, with surrounding fascia. Right buttock, viewed from behind, skin covering removed. File:Sobo 1909 575-576.png|Innervation and blood-supply of the gluteus maximus File:Sobo 1909 301.png|Gluteus maximus cut showing underlying structures File:Sobo 1909 295.png|Structures visible under the gluteus maximus File:Sobo 1909 577-578.png|Innervation as seen from under the gluteus maximus File:Gray344.png|Structures surrounding right hip-joint (gluteus maximus visible at bottom) File:Braus 1921 249.png|Surface anatomy of the upper leg, lateral view. x = Gluteus maximus, xx = Vastus lateralis, .. = Biceps femoris, . = Tendon of the biceps femoris / Capitulum fibulae. File:Braus 1921 248.png|Superficial muscles of the body, lateral view ==See also==