Gluteus Medius

<---- Pain Referral Zone

Gluteus medius lies deep to gluteus maximus, and superficial to gluteus minimus in the buttock. It originates on the outer surface of the ilium along the iliac crest, and also from the gluteal aponeurosis. It inserts on the posterosuperior aspect of the greater trochanter. It is one of the abductors of the hip, but its primary function is stabilization of the pelvis during the weight-bearing phase of walking. Its trigger points radiate over the buttock and refer into the upper back of the thigh.

Translation: This medium-sized butt muscle lies under the biggest butt muscle, and over the smallest butt muscle. It attaches along the upper edge of the back of the pelvis, and to a sheet of connective tissue that spreads from the butt up over the lower back. It also attaches to the upper back of the hipbone (the knob at the top of the thighbone). One of its jobs is to help raise the leg away from the body, but its main job is to hold the pelvis steady, especially when the hip on its side bears your weight while you're walking.