Musculi gemelli
Small paired muscles (superior and inferior) deep in the hip that laterally rotate the femur. Part of the deep hip rotator group, analogous to the gemelli in other species.
Origin: Ischium (near the lesser ischiatic notch)
Insertion: Trochanteric fossa of the femur
Action: Laterally rotates the femur; stabilizes the hip
Innervation: Sciatic nerve branch (L6-S1)
Rarely affected in isolation. Usually involved as part of coxofemoral (hip) joint disease or pelvic fractures.
Rarely affected in isolation. Usually involved as part of coxofemoral (hip) joint disease or pelvic fractures. Signs include: Deep-seated hip pain; abnormal hindlimb rotation; reduced range of motion at the hip; confirmed with advanced imaging.
See the Gemelli on our interactive 3D horse model. Open 3D Model