Name
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.