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Basic Science
intermediate
X-Type

Gluteus Medius Anatomy

Hip Anatomy

A 68-year-old woman presents with worsening lateral hip pain and a limp that has developed over 18 months. She had a total hip arthroplasty via the posterior approach 3 years ago. Examination reveals a positive Trendelenburg test on the affected side. She has difficulty walking and using stairs. MRI shows fatty atrophy of the gluteus medius muscle with a partial tear at its insertion. Regarding the anatomy and function of the gluteus medius:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The gluteus medius is a fan-shaped muscle originating from the external iliac fossa between the ante...

B

The gluteus medius is innervated by the superior gluteal nerve (L4-S1) which runs between gluteus me...

C

The gluteus medius functions primarily as a hip adductor and internal rotator; it plays no role in g...

D

The primary function of the gluteus medius is hip abduction and pelvic stabilisation during single-l...

E

Gluteus medius tears are increasingly recognised as a cause of lateral hip pain and are sometimes ca...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option