Overview
The largest of the gluteal muscles. It covers the lateral surface of the wing of the ilium between the tuber coxae and the tuber sacrale, and is partly covered caudally by the gluteobiceps. In the carcass it is the top sirloin.
Origin
Gluteal surface of the ilium, tuber coxae, sacroiliac ligament and gluteal fascia.
Insertion
Greater trochanter of the femur (trochanter major).
Action
Extends the hip and abducts the pelvic limb.
Innervation
Cranial gluteal nerve (n. gluteus cranialis).
Clinical relevance
- Carcass quality audits found injection-site lesions mainly in this muscle and in the round. For this reason Beef Quality Assurance guidelines call for injecting in the neck and not in the rump.
- In downer cows, prolonged recumbency can cause ischaemic myopathy in this and other large muscles of the pelvic limb.