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Glite Dictionary
gluteus minimus

gluteus minimus

1 7.0
A small muscle in the buttocks that helps keep the hip steady and move the leg
  • noun
  • /ˈɡluːtiəs ˈmɪnɪməs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : glúteo mínimo
  • One produced spillover to both superior and inferior branches of the gluteal nerve, causing both the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus to contract.
  • the gluteus minimus provides balance

Examples

  • Exercises that target the gluteus minimus can improve your athletic performance.

  • The gluteus minimus helps to stabilize your pelvis during walking.

  • In anatomy class, we learned that the gluteus minimus is crucial for hip movement.

Synonyms

minimus
vsgluteus minimus
  • Specialized
1 9.2

A very small body part often a tiny muscle such as the little finger

is a specific small inner buttock muscle, one of three gluteal layers

Surface Forms

gluteus minimus singular
gluteus minimi plural

Morphology

gluteus + minimus

The meaning 'the smallest of the gluteal muscles' is directly and compositionally derived from 'gluteus' (a buttock muscle) + 'minimus' (smallest). Although it is a technical anatomical term, the Latin-based naming pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically consistent, so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Gluteus minimus comes from Latin words: gluteus meaning 'buttock' and minimus meaning 'smallest'. It literally names the 'smallest' buttock muscle, so the phrase helps you remember this tiny muscle deep in the hip that helps keep the hips steady.