cancer of the gluteus maximus symptoms

time. Akio Sakamoto. privacy practices. Here's how it works and what to consider before trying it. There were 15 grade 1, 20 grade 2, and 37 grade 3 tumors, and grade was not available in 1 patient. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? If the hamstring is not stretched first, the gluteus maximus can be affected. Case report. Phrenic Nerve damage and paralyzed diaphragm: Anyone else have this? The metastasis had been overlooked for several years. Build strong glutes and a pain-free lower back. The dialogue should be written like the following excerpt: Patient: Hello. World J Surg Onc 5, 88 (2007). clip-path: url(#SVGID_2_); Common symptoms of iliolumbar syndrome include persistent bouts of severe pain in the lower back that can spread to the hip and groin. What are signs and symptoms of a gluteal injury? The doctor would conduct an exam and diagnose a gluteus maximus injury. Trying to do more than is comfortable can lead to further injury. Clinical presentation, histopathology, diagnostic evaluation and staging of soft tissue sarcoma. Metastatic RCC to the skeletal muscle must be differentiated from primary soft-tissue tumors. Your provider can start you on physical therapy exercises to improve your mobility and ease symptoms. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Gluteal tendinopathy can occur from tendon overuse or underuse. There were 8 T1 and 61 T2 tumors, and size was not available in 4 patients. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. What is the latest research on the form of cancer Jimmy Carter has? Causes of a gluteal injury Trauma such as a direct force blow or a fall is the usual cause of a gluteal injury. Lean slightly forward at the hip, keeping the back straight. Regular walking, in an average person, does not typically target strength training in the gluteus maximus, though the gluteus maximus does help promote balance when walking (as well as other activities) by helping keep the pelvis balanced and assisting in keeping your posture upright. Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. The fact that the lesion was capsulated by a thin area as seen on MRI also supported the diagnosis. Tenderness. If the supporting leg feels as if it may cave at the knee, this is a sign of tight glutes. Colleen Travers writes about health, fitness, travel, parenting, and womens lifestyle for various publications and brands. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. The glutes are muscles in the buttocks. Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: Fatigue. An error occurred trying to load this video. Gluteus Medius Tear Symptoms & Treatment | Can a Gluteus Medius Tear Heal? Ice and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can be used to manage pain and swelling. Stretching and strengthening the glutes can prevent tightness, help relieve pain and other symptoms, and reduce the risk of injury. Size and grade of the tumor were independent predictors for disease-free and overall survival. A 59-year-old man underwent right radical nephrectomy for RCC of 3.8 centimeters in diameter (stage pT1a N0 M0). When a runner's legs give out, it is usually caused by weakness of the hamstrings. Kissy1979 Member Posts: 1. SuM, YO and YH and conceived of the study. Keep reading to learn how these muscles can tighten and how to relieve and prevent the issue. One year after the nephrectomy (when he was 60 years old), recurrence was seen in the adrenal gland. Holland JM: Proceedings: Cancer of the kidney--natural history and staging. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Pain, if a tumor presses on nerves or muscles, A lump that is increasing in size or becomes painful, A lump of any size that's located deep within a muscle. Gadolinium is a paramagnetic metal having a very efficient T1 relaxation mechanism. } To learn more, please visit our. ACE also recommend this exercise, which can wake up the glutes, improve overall stability, and reduce back pain. Deep gluteal space problems: piriformis syndrome, ischiofemoral impingement and sciatic nerve release. Keeping the legs, arms, and back straight, push the buttocks back and up, so that the body forms an upside-down V shape. This can result in muscle pulling away from the bone, causing tenderness and pain in the hip area and sometimes in the lower back. For example, angiosarcoma begins in the lining of blood vessels, while liposarcoma arises from fat cells. Specific activities that can cause pain and injury to the gluteus maximus include swimming, walking uphill while leaning forward, repetivie kicking (as seen in martial arts or dancing), weight. You can also treat a mild strained gluteus maximus muscle with ice and over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. As for metastatic RCC to the gluteus maximus muscle, there have been several previous reports [9, 10]. Glad to hear the tum heat later wait and watch the healing happen. February 2015. Would you like email updates of new search results? If you have any of these symptoms, consult your doctor. Moderate enhancement by Gadolinium (0.2 ml/kg, Magnebist, Schering, Germany) is seen on T1-weighted image (C; axial). A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. It really depends on what your baseline is and how much muscle you want to build. You may also experience lower back pain, groin pain or gluteal pain. Also, it is a good idea to warm up the body after the initial stretching with some low-intensity movements, such as walking. If you are having pain in the lower extremities and think your gluteus maximus may be the cause, its important to make an appointment with a physical therapist. Its large size represents the human musculature. AJR Am J Roentgenol. The gluteus maximus also assists in raising the body from a squatted position and walking up the stairs. While injuries to the gluteus maximus may seem complex because it is hard to identify exact causes, or exact location of the injury, the symptoms and treatments are similar. Gluteus Maximus Injuries. Researchers say antidepressants are effective in treating mental health symptoms, but they don't appear to be effective in easing chronic pain. https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq. (Siemens Symphony 1.5T, FOV = 200 200 mm, matrix = 256 320). World Journal of Surgical Oncology Of the three gluteal muscles, the gluteus maximus is the largest muscle of the buttocks. Other methods your doctor may use for diagnosing anal cancer include: Certain traits or lifestyle habits can increase your risk for anal cancer, including: Your buttock pain is most likely not cancer. Lower back pain is common, but doing strengthening exercises can relieve the symptoms. Some people also find that physical therapy can help with the pain and discomfort from iliac crest pain. These can include: Strong core muscles are needed to support the joints and to move properly. They present as painless masses. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. } To perform the side-lying leg lift, a person will need a pillow. Piriformis syndrome is one of the cause of gluteal region pain, symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome affected gluteus maximus muscle may masquerade as piriformis muscle syndrome or both syndrome can be seen together. Modify or take a break from activities like running that irritate your hips. When something irritates, inflames or injures your tendons, you experience musculoskeletal pain. We look at the associated symptoms and, The right hip can be painful for a variety of reasons. This includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of your joints. 20th ed. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. More specifically, the muscle begins at the ilium of . Pain in the upper thighLearn about different causes of upper thigh pain, from injuries to nerve problems. Gluteus maximus tear symptoms A 41-year-old female asked: Mri showed tear in the gluteus maximus upon the insertion of the it band on the right hip. Gluteus maximus is the largest and heaviest muscle in the human body. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. Wearing good-quality shoes while exercising and increasing muscle strength can help prevent iliac crest pain. Cite this article. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and perform a physical examination. Surgical removal is the most common treatment, although radiation and chemotherapy also may be recommended depending on the size, type, location and aggressiveness of the tumor. As many as 1 in 3 people with lower back pain also develop hip pain from gluteal tendinopathy. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. In: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Careers. The gluteus maximus muscle is the largest gluteal muscle located in the buttocks. Therefore a diagnosis of metastatic RCC was suspected rather than primary soft-tissue tumor. Unlike tendinitis, tendinopathy rarely gets better with rest. Before From there, the therapist will develop a plan to help your gluteus maximus muscle heal. We avoid using tertiary references. Sit for a prolonged time or sit cross-legged. with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. Clients may also complain of a sharp, stabbing pain in certain seated positions. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Manage cookies/Do not sell my data we use in the preference centre. Many conditions can cause hip pain. Eur Urol. These support lower body movement. ErrorSelect In the current case, the characteristic features of MRI for metastatic RCC were beneficial in differentiating it from primary soft-tissue tumor, because most cases of primary soft-tissue tumor have low- to iso-signal intensity relative to the skeletal muscle on T1-weighted images and high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images. what can i do. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Research has shown an increased risk of developing cancer for those with gluten sensitivity who fail to follow a strict gluten free diet. Learn more. The type of pain experienced may vary. Learn about a number of exercises to stretch and strengthen the hip flexors, muscles that grow tight through prolonged periods of sitting. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. In 1982 I had a tumor removed from my left buttock. Slowly bend the supporting leg, bringing the hips as far back as comfortable. Accessed Aug. 11, 2017. Pain medications available over-the-counter or online, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may also help reduce pain and inflammation. The hip bone or bony pelvis provides strength, stability, and support for the spine and organs. PubMed In cases of ilium apophysitis, a doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medication if RICE does not ease the pain. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The .gov means its official. Fahmy, R. (2017). A person can perform a test at home to tell whether their glutes are tight. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. . Learn about the symptoms of anal cancer and when you should be concerned. Last medically reviewed on April 28, 2022, There are many possible causes of hip pain. Several conditions can affect the tendons in your hips and glutes, causing pain. Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. Cancer. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Hii have gluteus maximus syndrome .. how can i treat it ! LisaL Member Posts: 1. Dr. Matthew Solhjem answered Radiation Oncology 23 years experience Tear. This article explores the causes of iliac crest pain, what it feels like, treatments, and exercises that may help to prevent and relieve pain. Along with pain in the anal area, anal cancer has other symptoms. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? I have an inflammation in the maximus gluteus muscle caused by a 2 year old ski fall. Tendon compression due to a fall or another type of accident. ( 02) Stabilizing your femur (thighbone) Your femur connects to your hip socket, which is supported from the back by your glute muscles. Making a diagnosis of metastatic RCC to the skeletal muscle is challenging, because the site is unpredictable, in addition to it being rare. the gluteus maximus of the hip itself; . Hold on to something at waist height, such as the back of a chair. We also take a look at the steps that can be taken to reduce, treat, and prevent this pain. Buttock sarcomas present special surgical difficulties because of proximity of the sciatic nerve and the ability of tumors at this site to extend into the pelvis and perineum. The condition will resolve itself once growth has finished and the bone has fully hardened. The glutes consist of three muscles: the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, and the gluteus maximus. Compression bandages are available online. Gluteus maximus and quadriceps hurt suddenly for no reason. To make sure your dialogue has all the necessary parts, check the criteria for success below. Is deep tissue massage better than physical therapy for a hurt hamstring and the gluteus maximus ? However, generally, it is difficult to detect metastases to the skeletal muscle, because the area of skeletal muscle to be metastasized can vary. However, gently stretching and exercising the hips can often help relieve this pain. I am 34 years old, and hospital just accidentaly found a mass in my gluteus maximus. Step one foot back while bending the other knee at a 90-degree angle. Should I look for signs of complications. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. 2023 BioMed Central Ltd unless otherwise stated. Muscles can be hurt for many reasons, including: I sincerely hope that your news was better than mine! How long does it take to build muscle in the gluteus maximus by doing squats? Generally, either open or needle biopsy is necessary in order to make a diagnosis, in cases of soft-tissue tumor, because the surgical procedure is different depending upon the histological diagnosis. Falls or direct blows to the buttock can cause bleeding, inflammation, and swelling. People who sit for long periods or have injuries often have tight hips. Free Neurovascular Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Transplantation for Reconstruction of Hip Abductors. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the All rights reserved. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. include protected health information. Allscripts EPSi. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs. When the gluteus maximus is tight, it can lead to pain, decreased range of motion, and reduced stability. However fractured hips generally hurt more when weight-bearing. other information we have about you. Computed tomography with contrast medium (100 ml, Omnipaque300, Daiichi-Sankyo, Japan) shows a well-defined mass in the gluteus maximus muscle, at the age of 60 years old (A; Toshiba, AquilionTM4, 120 kV, 300 mA, 0.5 sec/r) and at the age of 65 years old (B; Toshiba, AquilionTM64, 120 kV, 300 mA, 0.5 sec/r). Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? Tight hamstrings are a common complaint, particularly for sportspeople. You can unsubscribe at any The histological features of these two lesions have similar aspects of rich cytoplasm. Accessed Aug. 11, 2017. Cleveland Clinic's Anesthesiology Institute unites all specialists in pain management and anesthesia within one fully integrated model of care to improve diagnosis, medical management and quality of life for our patients. Slowly raise the knee upward, keeping the foot on the calf. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal This area may feel tender to touch. 2015;50(4):462468. Article 1990, 76 (4): 407-409. The pain usually starts in one side of the lower back and buttocks and can reach up to the lower hip, groin, and upper thigh. how do i treat this? Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Onco-regeneration -- Restoring function after a soft tissue cancer diagnosis, Science Saturday: Regenerating muscles after cancer surgery. : Sounds like the pain your having is caused by the gluteus tear. Its three trigger points, the medial trigger point, the lower trigger point, and the 'tailbone' trigger point, of the gluteus maximus muscle can cause tenderness or stabbing pain when moving or during prolonged sitting. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? The tumor has high-signal intensity on T2-STIR (H; coronal). It can interfere with your ability to work, exercise and socialize. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. (2011). These exercises all strengthen the muscles in the iliac crest area. What could be the cause of my buttock pain? A healthcare professional will then examine the hip area for signs of bruising, swelling, tenderness, and pain. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The lesion had a rather regular border to the surrounding gluteus maximus muscle, and was capsulated by a thin area with low-signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images (Figure 2A2H). Rest also doesnt help. Sakamoto, A., Yoshida, T., Matsuura, S. et al. Landman Z. Taylor V, Guttmann G, Reeves R. A variant accessory muscle of the gluteus maximus. Practice yoga or stretching exercises to keep your hip muscles flexible. Degenerative Disc Disease: Can Injections Help Relieve Back Pain? When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. On the other hand, clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of the soft parts) and alveolar soft-part sarcoma may be difficult to differentiate from metastatic RCC on MRI. 10.1007/BF00198412. The patient should have a gluteus maximus injury, but not fully know the diagnosis yet. Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among middle-aged and older adults, often tied to lots of sitting, too little movement of the lower body and not enough stretching. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001498. The sciatic nerve runs under the gluteus maximus . Epub 2022 Nov 7. Excess pressure on the tendons from weight gain or. Stand on a step or a stable raised platform. We have no reasonable explanation for the high intensity on T1-weighted image of alveolar soft-part sarcoma and RCC. Price, J. On physical examination, the tumor was palpable in the gluteus maximus muscle. 2002, 102 (5): 351-352. Next: While stretches and exercises can relieve tightness in the glutes, rest is also important. The neck should be in a neutral position, and the head should stay between the upper arms. Merimsky O, Levine T, S. C: Recurrent solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in skeletal muscles. Literature shows different pathologies or combination pathologies can cause gluteal region pain and it can be difficult to diagnose. weakening the glutes and surrounding muscles. The most common sites of metastatic RCC are the lungs, lymph nodes, bones, liver and brain [4]. The area can sometimes swell and is usually tender, and the pain tends to worsen with activity. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. The differential diagnosis included sarcoma, old hematoma, proliferative myositis and lymphoma. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative. Although the degree of enhancement depends upon the type of sequence and the delay after contrast injection, early dense venous drainage [8], due to an arteriovenous shunt in RCC [7] might reduce the time for Gadolinium to reach the tissue in order for it to be effective, resulting in mild enhancement. A tendon injury causes gluteal tendinopathy. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has widespread and unpredictable metastatic potential [1], even after curative nephrectomy is performed [2, 3], RCC is able to metastasize to virtually any site. The gluteus maximus muscle is innervated by theinferior gluteal nerve, which is a branch of thesacral plexus. Springer Nature. thanks? First. The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients. https:www.uptodate.com/contents/search. The gluteus medius muscle is a broad, thick, and strong fan-shaped muscle located in the upper hip, just below the gluteus maximus (buttocks). California Privacy Statement, Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Severe hip pain that interferes with daily activities or sleep. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. Seetharam M (expert opinion). National Cancer Institute. Soft tissue sarcoma. You may experience fatigue and irritability if the pain affects your sleep. In several autopsy series, about 0.4% of cases with RCC had skeletal muscle metastases [2]. In the current case, metastatic RCC to the skeletal muscle was found by chance during a regular checkup for metastasis using CT on the abdominal cavity. The MRI features were unusual for most soft-tissue tumors having low-signal intensity on T1-WI and high-signal intensity on T2-WI. This joint sits in the pelvis and connects the iliac to the lower part of the spine. The UKs National Health Service (NHS) advises people to try the following: Some risk factors for iliac crest pain include: Several exercises and stretches may help to treat and prevent iliac crest pain. Usually, the pain increases with direct pressure on the side of your hip, such as lying down on that side. eCollection 2017 Sep. Primary high-grade soft-tissue sarcoma of the buttock: a rare but distinct clinical entity. Accessibility A soft tissue sarcoma may not cause any signs and symptoms in its early stages. Learn more about the potential causes of right hip pain in females and the treatment options. Schatteman P, Willemsen P, Vanderveken M, Lockefeer F, Vandebroek A: Skeletal muscle metastasis from a conventional renal cell carcinoma, two years after nephrectomy: a case report. The iliac crest is the most prominent part of the ilium, the largest of the three big bones. 1993, 27 (1): 143-144. This type of injury may be called a hip pointer, as a person will point with one finger to the location of the pain (in this case the hip). Tenderness and swelling can also indicate iliac crest problems, particularly if caused by trauma. Have it evaluated. The symptoms may worsen when sitting, sleeping, or walking up and downstairs. This pain extends down the outside of your leg to your knee or lower leg. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), downward dog stretches the glutes and other areas of the body, including the: According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the forward-leaning lunge activates the glutes better than a traditional lunge. Scand J Urol Nephrol. doi:10.11138/mltj/2016.6.3.384. Gluteal tendinopathy: Integrating pathomechanics and clinical features in its management. 5 Sep 2021 12:21 in response to Anxious237. Post-workout stretching can help prevent injury and tightness. J Ultrasound Med. For example, a person might try: Downward Dog is a popular yoga pose. Many conditions, including gluteal tendinopathy, can cause hip pain. i have pain in the back side of my hip around the side of m? 1 First-line imaging modality is plain radiographs. Make a donation. what is periostitis along the gluteal tuberosity caused by? In conclusion, we present the case of a 65-year-old man with metastatic RCC to the gluteus maximus muscle. Probably the best way would be to consult an orthopedic doctor first, who would get the imaging study best suite Dr. M. Hytham Beck and another doctor agree. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan, Akio Sakamoto,Tatsuya Yoshida,Kazuhiro Tanaka,Shuichi Matsuda&Yukihide Iwamoto, Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan, Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan, You can also search for this author in Blood in the stool has multiple causes, like hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. For cancer subtypes, the strongest association between celiac disease and cancer was found for hematologic, lymphoproliferative and gastrointestinal cancers. The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests. These muscles include: There are several causes of iliac crest pain. Retrospectively, the small mass (1 cm in diameter) was overlooked 5 years earlier on enhanced CT. Because the growth of the lesion was slow, benign tumor was a differential diagnosis. Sacco R, Laleve M, Pellegrino P, Ferro A, Yasmine B, Andr G, Matthieu G, Hamza A, Piana R, Dujardin F. Surg Oncol. The area of the gluteus maximus known as the gluteal crease (also called the gluteal sulcus) is known as the horizontal crease right under the buttocks. The therapist will evaluate the strength of your gluteus maximus muscles to diagnose any strain or weakness. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024251/, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354140, cancer.org/cancer/anal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048443/. Soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous (malignant) tumors that originate in the soft tissues of your body. It is also important to provide rest to the muscle before returning back to daily life activities. Talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise regime. PubMedGoogle Scholar. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.3813. Once in a sitting position, the pain stops. Extend one leg out behind you, keeping your back straight and hold. The doctor should examine the patient, diagnose the injury and prescribe a treatment plan. If the glutes become tight or injured, it can lead to pain in several areas of the body. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. The pain and tenderness were attributed to pressure effects to the sciatic nerve. FOIA information submitted for this request. 5th ed. Can gluteus maximus be regenerated after 1/3 has been surgically removed due to benign tumor? ? The gluteus maximus is a thick fleshy muscle with a quadrangular shape. Numbness that comes on suddenly or is accompanied by the loss of bladder or bowel . Return to the starting position and repeat the stretch 2 or 3 times per session. Low grade ureter and renal pelvis kidney cancer diagnosis. The gluteus maximus is most vigorously engaged when effort or force is produced, in activities like running, climbing, or hiking. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies The gluteus maximus is commonly called a superficial muscle, which is what muscles that help provide shape are sometimes referred to.