Hip External Rotators

Other Names

• Six Deep Lateral Rotator Hip Muscles

Heads

1. Piriformis
2. Gemellus Superior
3. Obturator Internus
4. Gemellus Inferior
5. Obturator Externus
6. Quadratus Femoris

Movement

Hip

• External Rotation [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ]
• Transverse Abduction [1, 5 ]
• Internal Rotation [1] (see comments)

Attachments

Origin

• Sacrum
  • Anterior [1 ]
  • Sacrotuberous Ligament [1 ]
• Ischium
  • Posterior Portions
    • Ischial Spine [2 ]
    • Ischial Tuberosity
      • Posterior Portion [4 ]
      • External Border [6 ]
  • Obturator Foramen [5, 6 ]
• Ischium and Pubis
  • Inside Surfaces and Obturator Membrane [3 ]

Insertion

• Femur
  • Greater Trochanter
    • Medial Surface [2, 3, 4 ]
    • Superior/Medial Surface [1 ]
    • Posterior Surface
      • Quadrate Tubercle [6 ]
      • Trochanteric Fossa [5 ]

Comments

Gemellus Superior [2 ] and Gemellus Inferior [4 ] also known collectively as Gemelli. Insertion of piriformis is high up on greater trochanter, so it assists in external rotation from anatomical position, but when hip is flexed, piriformis assists in internal rotation of hip.