Name

# Superior Gemellus

Pronunciation

(je-MEL-us)

Origin/Proximal Attachment

Ischial spine

Insertion/Distal Attachment

Medial aspect of greater trochanter (via upper tendon of obturator internus)

Action/Relevance

Externally rotate the thigh

Abducts thigh when flexed

Innervation

Nerve to obturator (L5, S1, 2)

Notes

Gemellus superior (plural: gemelli) is one of the muscles of the gluteal region. It arises from the ischial spine. It inserts into the posteromedial and middle surface of the greater trochanter of the femur via the tendon to obturator internus.

Gemellus superior is innervated by the nerve to obturator internus (L5-S2).

It acts to:

* laterally rotate the extended thigh at the hip

* abduct the thigh when it is flexed at the hip

* stabilize the hip joint

These actions are in conjunction with gemellus inferior and obturator internus.