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Origin At or below the acetabulum of the ilium Insertion On or near the greater trochanter of the femur Artery Inferior gluteal artery, lateral sacral artery, superior gluteal artery Nerve Obturator nerve, nerve to the Piriformis, nerve to quadratus femoris Actions Lateral rotation of hip Antagonist Gluteus minimus muscle, gluteus medius muscle | ||
The lateral rotator group is a group of six small muscles of the hip which all externally (laterally) rotate the femur in the hip joint. It consists of the following muscles: Piriformis, gemellus superior, obturator internus, gemellus inferior, quadratus femoris and the obturator externus.
All muscles in the lateral rotator group originate from the hip bone and insert on to the upper extremity of the femur. The muscles are innervated by the sacral plexus (L4-S2), except the obturator externus, which is innervated by the lumbar plexus.
Other lateral rotators
This group does not include all muscles which aid in lateral rotation of the hip joint: rather it is a collection of ones which are known for primarily performing this action. Other muscles that contribute to lateral rotation of the hip include: