The gluteal muscles, also known as the buttocks muscles, are important muscles for movement and stabilisation of the hip joint. The spelling of this word is fairly straightforward, with each syllable being pronounced as follows: /ɡluːtiəl/ for "gluteal" and /ˈmʌsəlz/ for "muscles". The "glu" in "gluteal" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, and the "teal" is pronounced like "tee-uhl". The "s" at the end of "muscles" is pronounced as a "z" sound due to the adjacent vowel sound.
The gluteal muscles, also known as the glutes, refer to a group of three major muscles located in the buttocks region of the human body. These muscles consist of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus. The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the group and forms the buttocks' visible bulk. It plays a crucial role in daily activities such as walking, running, jumping, and maintaining an upright posture. Additionally, the gluteus maximus contributes to hip extension, allowing the leg to move backward.
The gluteus medius and gluteus minimus are situated beneath the gluteus maximus. While smaller in size, they are equally important for hip stability and function. These muscles aid in activities involving stabilization and balance, such as standing on one leg or changing direction while walking or jogging. They also assist in hip abduction, facilitating movements like moving the leg away from the midline of the body.
Overall, the gluteal muscles are essential for lower body strength, power, and mobility. They not only provide shape and definition to the buttocks but are also vital for maintaining proper posture, balance, and functional movement. Regular exercise and strengthening of the gluteal muscles can help improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance overall lower body function.
See under musculus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "gluteal" is derived from the Latin term "glute(us)", which means "buttock" or "rump". It is formed by attaching the Latin suffix "-al", indicating "relating to", to the word "gluteus". Therefore, "gluteal" literally translates to "relating to the buttocks". The term "muscles" refers to the body tissues responsible for movement, hence "gluteal muscles" specifically refers to the muscles located in the buttock area.