Advanced Gluteus Maximus Quiz

Q1. Which functional deficit is most characteristic of isolated inferior gluteal nerve injury?

• Loss of ankle dorsiflexion
• Difficulty producing powerful hip extension from a flexed position
• Loss of hip adduction
• Loss of knee extension

Q2. Why may a person with severe gluteus maximus weakness lean the trunk posteriorly during early stance?

• It produces ankle dorsiflexion
• It increases the need for gluteus maximus contraction
• It eliminates quadriceps activity
• It reduces the external hip flexion moment

Q3. Why must intramuscular injections in the gluteal region be planned with knowledge of deep neurovascular anatomy?

• No major neurovascular structures occupy the gluteal region
• The hip joint is entirely superficial to the muscle
• The femoral nerve runs through its center
• Important nerves and vessels lie deep to gluteus maximus

Q4. How does the iliotibial insertion of gluteus maximus contribute to lower-limb stability?

• It contracts the patellar ligament
• It shortens the fibula
• It tensions the iliotibial tract during weight bearing
• It directly tightens the medial meniscus

Q5. Why is gluteus maximus well suited for powerful extension when rising from a deeply flexed hip?

• Its nerve supply shifts to the femoral nerve
• Its size and posterior line of pull allow substantial extension torque
• Its insertion detaches from the femur during flexion
• It becomes a primary hip flexor in deep flexion

Q6. Which anatomical arrangement helps gluteus maximus produce external rotation?

• It crosses only the knee joint
• It inserts on the medial tibia
• Its posterior-to-lateral line of pull creates an external rotation moment
• Its tendon passes anterior to the hip axis

Q7. Why can the greater trochanteric region be mechanically related to gluteus maximus even though much of the muscle does not insert on the greater trochanter?

• The sciatic nerve attaches to the greater trochanter
• The femoral artery passes over the trochanter
• The muscle and iliotibial tract glide over the greater trochanteric region
• The muscle inserts entirely into the greater trochanter

Q8. Which task would usually create the greatest demand for gluteus maximus?

• Quiet sitting
• Rapid uphill acceleration
• Finger extension
• Passive knee flexion

Q9. Why can a superior gluteal nerve lesion leave gluteus maximus contraction largely intact?

• Gluteus maximus is supplied by the obturator nerve
• Gluteus maximus is supplied by the femoral nerve
• Gluteus maximus has no peripheral nerve supply
• Gluteus maximus is supplied by the inferior gluteal nerve

Q10. Which statement most accurately integrates the attachments and actions of gluteus maximus?

• It links the femur to the calcaneus as an ankle plantarflexor
• It links the posterior pelvis to the iliotibial tract and femur as a powerful hip extensor and external rotator
• It links the ilium to the patella as a primary knee extensor
• It links the pubis to the lesser trochanter as a primary hip flexor