European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 7 - Number 3
Eur J Anat, 7 (3): 135-137 (2003)

Gluteus minimus muscle: Insertion to hip joint capsule in South Indian fetuses

Rabi S., Vettivel S.

Department of Anatomy, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632 002, India

ABSTRACT The insertion of the gluteus minimus muscle to the superior aspect of the fibrous capsule of the hip joint, in addition to the anterolateral aspect of the greater trochanter has been reported in surgery, cadavers, and full term fetuses. The present study aimed to determine whether or not such an insertion was present in the South Indian fetuses. Seven young-to-full term fetuses were used. A firm attachment of the gluteus minimus muscle to the hip joint capsule was present in all the specimens. Sharp dissection was required to separate it from the capsule. Histological assessment of the junction of the muscle to capsule revealed that bundles of collagen linked the skeletal muscle to the capsule in all cases. Striated muscle fibres became densely collagenous at the site of attachment to the connective tissue of the capsule and the dense collagen fibres were arranged in a linear fashion. Functional role and clinical anatomy of the capsular attachment are presented.

Keywords: collagen fiber, article, cadaver, dissection, femur, fetus, gluteus minimus muscle, hip, histology, human, human tissue, India, joint capsule, muscle cell, normal human, skeletal muscle, surgical anatomy

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)