A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus

Introduction The gluteus maximus muscle is the largest and most powerful muscle in the gluteal region of the body. It is the most superficial of the three gluteal muscles, covering all of the others except for a small part of the gluteus medius muscle. The gluteus maximus slopes inferiolaterally at a 45° angle from the pelvis to the buttocks [1]. The approximate superior two-thirds of fibers of the gluteus maximus muscle insert laterally into the iliotibial tract (or iliotibial band) at its proximal end near the mid to inferior part of the tensor fasciae latae muscle. The remaining inferior fibers of the gluteus maximus insert into the gluteal tuberosity of the proximal femur. The iliotibial tract represents the lateral thickening of the fascia lata, forming a longitudinal band that passes over the greater trochanter and extends from the tubercle of the iliac crest to Gerdy’s tubercle on the lateral side of the proximal tibia. The iliotibial tract serves as an attachment site for the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia latae muscles. With the gluteus maximus muscle, the iliotibial tract stabilizes the hip joint by preventing lateral displacement of the proximal end of the femur [2].