From the iliac fossa from which it arises the fleshy fibres are directed towards the femur, to be inserted into the great trochanter. It is covered by an aponeurosis, and in part by the great gluteal. It completely covers the small gluteal, which veterinary anatomists designate by the name of the deep gluteal.
In the carnivora it does not pass in front of the iliac crest, but, in the ox, and more particularly in the horse, it is prolonged anteriorly, and thus covers, to a certain extent, the muscles of the common mass.
When it contracts, taking its fixed point at the pelvis, the gluteus medius extends the thigh, which it is also able to abduct. If, on the other hand, its fixed point is on the femur, it acts on the trunk, which it raises, producing oscillating movements of the pelvis. It contributes in this way to the action of rearing. We also see it distinctly appear by the prominence which it produces in the dog, which, according to the time-honoured phrase, fait le beau.
Gluteus Maximus ([Fig. 68], 28; [Fig. 69], 25; [Fig. 70], 33, 34).—The great gluteal muscle, further designated in veterinary anatomy the superficial gluteal, is proportionately less developed in quadrupeds than in man. Indeed, in the latter, where it is of very great thickness, its volume is due to the important function which it fulfils in maintaining the biped attitude.
In quadrupeds it contributes to form the superficial part of the crupper and the external surface of the thigh. It is divided into two parts: one anterior, the other posterior.
With regard to this latter, it will be necessary to indicate how it has been sometimes regarded, and to what portion of the muscular system in man it corresponds. But we believe that it is better to see beforehand, without any preconceived idea, how these two parts are arranged.
In the dog, the anterior portion of the gluteus maximus arises from the sacrum, while some fibres situated further forward arise from the surface of the gluteus medius, near the iliac spine, and from the tensor of the fascia lata with which these fibres are blended. The posterior portion, united to the preceding—that is to say, to those of its fibres which arise from the sacrum—takes its origin from the first coccygeal vertebra. These two portions are directed towards the femur, to be inserted into the great trochanter, and to the external branch of the superior bifurcation of the linea aspera.
In the cat, the posterior bundle is less definitely blended with the anterior. By a long and slender tendon which, behind, turns around the great trochanter, and passes along the surface of the fascia lata, it proceeds to join the knee-cap.
In the pig, the posterior portion is much more developed.
In the horse, the anterior portion arises from the internal iliac spine (posterior in man), from the external iliac spine (anterior in man), and, between these two osseous points, from the aponeurosis, which covers the gluteus medius. Between these two origins the muscle is deeply grooved, so that the tendency is to divide into two portions, each of which is directed towards one of the iliac angles. In this groove the gluteus medius is to be seen.