Which muscle is the middle buttock muscle?

Which muscle is the middle buttock muscle?

• A. Gluteus maximus
• B. Gluteus minimus
• C. Obturator internus
• D. Gluteus medius

Answer: (D)

In the buttock region, the gluteal muscles are organized from superficial to deep as the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus minimus. The middle one in this layered arrangement is the gluteus medius, which sits between the large outermost gluteus maximus and the deeper gluteus minimus. This muscle originates on the outer surface of the ilium and inserts on the greater trochanter, and it mainly abducts the thigh and helps keep the pelvis level during walking. The obturator internus is a deep hip rotator located inside the pelvis, not a middle buttock muscle, and the gluteus maximus is the outer, most superficial buttock muscle.

In the buttock region, the gluteal muscles are organized from superficial to deep as the gluteus maximus, the gluteus medius, and the gluteus minimus. The middle one in this layered arrangement is the gluteus medius, which sits between the large outermost gluteus maximus and the deeper gluteus minimus. This muscle originates on the outer surface of the ilium and inserts on the greater trochanter, and it mainly abducts the thigh and helps keep the pelvis level during walking. The obturator internus is a deep hip rotator located inside the pelvis, not a middle buttock muscle, and the gluteus maximus is the outer, most superficial buttock muscle.