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Gluteus minimus tendon

The gluteus minimus tendon is the distal fibrous attachment of the gluteus minimus muscle, the smallest of the gluteal muscles. The muscle originates from the outer surface of the ilium and inserts via its tendon onto the anterolateral facet of the greater trochanter of the femur. The tendon lies deep to the gluteus medius tendon and is closely related to the hip capsule.

Functionally, the gluteus minimus and its tendon are critical components of the hip abductor mechanism, stabilizing the pelvis during gait and contributing to internal rotation of the thigh. Pathology of the tendon, such as tendinopathy or tears, is increasingly recognized as a cause of lateral hip pain, often grouped under greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).

Synonyms

  • Tendon of gluteus minimus

  • Anterolateral hip abductor tendon

  • Lesser gluteal tendon

Origin and Insertion

  • Origin (muscle): Outer surface of ilium, between anterior and inferior gluteal lines

  • Course: Fibers converge laterally beneath the gluteus medius, forming a tendon that passes to the anterior facet of the greater trochanter

  • Insertion (tendon): Anterolateral facet of the greater trochanter of the femur

Nerve Supply

  • Superior gluteal nerve (L4–S1)

Arterial Supply

  • Superior gluteal artery (primary supply)

  • Branches from lateral circumflex femoral artery

Venous Drainage

  • Superior gluteal vein → internal iliac vein

  • Contributions to femoral vein via circumflex veins

Function

  • Abduction of the hip

  • Internal rotation of the thigh (anterior fibers)

  • Stabilization of pelvis during walking and single-leg stance

  • Acts synergistically with gluteus medius tendon

Clinical Significance

  • Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS): Tendinopathy or partial tear of gluteus minimus tendon is a common cause of lateral hip pain

  • Complete tears: Lead to weakness in abduction and pelvic drop (Trendelenburg gait)

  • Bursitis association: Often coexists with trochanteric bursitis

  • Imaging relevance: MRI is gold standard for diagnosing tendon pathology

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Normal tendon appears as low-signal intensity band at insertion

  • Fat around the tendon and within muscle belly appears bright, outlining tendon

T2-weighted images:

  • Normal tendon remains low signal

  • Tendinopathy or partial tear appears as focal bright signal within tendon substance or at insertion

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Normal tendon is dark (low signal)

  • Tendon pathology (inflammation, tear) appears bright hyperintense

  • Surrounding bursitis shows bright fluid signal

Proton Density Fat-Saturated (PD FS):

  • Normal tendon: dark, low signal

  • Partial tear/tendinopathy: bright hyperintensity at insertion or within tendon fibers

  • Muscle edema, if present, also appears bright

T1 Fat-Sat Post-Contrast:

  • Normal tendon: minimal or no enhancement

  • Pathology: focal or diffuse enhancement in tendinopathy, and rim enhancement in bursitis or inflammation

CT Appearance

Non-Contrast CT:

  • Tendon not well visualized directly; appears as a linear soft tissue density attaching to greater trochanter

  • Chronic calcific tendinopathy may show calcific deposits near insertion

  • Fat planes outline tendon margins

Post-Contrast CT:

  • Normal tendon shows no significant enhancement

  • Pathological tendon may appear thickened with surrounding soft tissue or bursal enhancement

  • Calcific tendinopathy: calcium deposits remain dense and non-enhancing

MRI image

Gluteus minimus tendon MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000

MRI image

Gluteus minimus tendon MRI axial anatomy image-img-00000-00000_00001

CT image

Gluteus minimus tendon ct axial