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Gluteus minimus muscle

The gluteus minimus is the smallest and deepest of the three gluteal muscles, lying beneath the gluteus medius. It originates from the external surface of the ilium between the anterior and inferior gluteal lines and inserts onto the anterior surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.

Its fibers converge into a tendon that blends with the joint capsule of the hip, contributing to hip stability. Along with the gluteus medius, the gluteus minimus acts as a primary hip abductor and internal rotator. During gait, it plays a critical role in pelvic stabilization on the contralateral side (Trendelenburg mechanism).

Clinically, gluteus minimus pathology (tears, tendinopathy, fatty atrophy) is associated with greater trochanteric pain syndrome, hip instability, and abductor weakness. It is an important surgical landmark in hip arthroplasty and hip-preserving surgeries.

Synonyms

  • Musculus gluteus minimus

  • Small gluteal muscle

Function

  • Abduction of the thigh at the hip joint

  • Medial (internal) rotation of the thigh

  • Stabilizes pelvis during walking and standing on one leg (prevents Trendelenburg gait)

  • Assists gluteus medius in maintaining upright posture

Nerve Supply

  • Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1)

Arterial Supply

  • Superior gluteal artery (primary supply)

  • Contributions from the lateral circumflex femoral artery

Venous Drainage

  • Superior gluteal vein → internal iliac vein

  • Communicating tributaries to the femoral venous system

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Normal muscle: intermediate signal intensity with preserved fascicular pattern

  • Fat infiltration from chronic injury/denervation appears hyperintense

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal muscle: intermediate-to-low signal

  • Muscle tears, edema, or tendinopathy appear hyperintense near the greater trochanter insertion

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat, highlights muscle edema, inflammation, or acute injury

  • Highly sensitive for greater trochanteric pain syndrome

T1 Fat-Saturated (Pre-contrast):

  • Muscle appears intermediate signal, clearly separated from suppressed perimuscular fat planes

T1 Fat-Saturated Post-Contrast (Gadolinium):

  • Normal gluteus minimus shows mild homogeneous enhancement

  • Pathology such as myositis, tendinopathy, or tumor enhances more intensely or heterogeneously

MRI Non-Contrast 3D Imaging:

  • Provides detailed visualization of the muscle volume, tendon insertion, and relation to hip capsule

  • Useful in pre-surgical planning for tendon repair or hip arthroplasty

CT Appearance

CT Pre-Contrast:

  • Muscle visualized as a soft tissue density overlying the anterior greater trochanter

  • Useful for assessing calcifications, muscle bulk, or fatty atrophy

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Enhances visualization of muscle pathology, tumors, or inflammatory changes

  • 3D reconstructions show the relationship to hip joint and gluteus medius

MRI image

Gluteus minimus muscle MRI coronal image anatomy image -img-00000-00000

MRI image

Gluteus minimus muscle MRI coronal image anatomy image -img-00000-00000_00001

MRI image

Gluteus minimus muscle MRI coronal image anatomy image -img-00000-00000_00002

CT images

Gluteus minimus muscle CT axial image 1

CT images

Gluteus minimus muscle CT axial image 3

CT images

Gluteus minimus muscle CT axial image