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 gluteus medius is one of three muscles that make up the gluteals. It, along with the gluteus minimus, abducts (lift the leg away from the body) and internally rotates the hip. During the mid-stance phase of running (or walking), the gluteus medius must contract to stabilize the femur and pelvis.