Gluteus medius & minimus

Looks like

Two fan-shaped muscles on the outer side of the pelvis, under the gluteus maximus, ending on the bony point at the side of the hip.

What it does

Hold the pelvis level when standing on one leg, so each step does not tip the body.

Keeping it well

Their tendons wear, causing pain on lying on the side of the hip. A pelvis that drops on the other side at each step shows they are weak.

Its parts

• Gluteus minimus

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Tetanus
• Varicose veins