Purvis, Thomas L. The Making of a Myth: Abraham Lincoln's Family Background in the Perspective of Jacksonian Politics.. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 75 (Summer 1982): 148-60.
The gluteal group of muscles consists of 3 muscles: Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Minimus. Gluteus is Greek for rump. Maximus is the largest of the muscles and Minimus the smallest. The role of the Gluteus maximus is different from the medius and minimus muscles because of their attachment points.
The superior gluteal nerve innervates the gluteus medius and the gluteus minimus. These muscles have an important role in stablising the pelvis during locomotion. In the standing position, the gluteus minimus and medius contract when the contralateral leg is raised, preventing the pelvis from dropping on that side.