what muscle is this, picture included

[Dan86]

I was lifting weights 1 1/2 years ago and curled incorrectly by overcompensating in my hip area and swung to get the last few reps in and the circled area is where I felt discomfort. MRI's and xrays showed nothing wrong with back and hip. At first it was just a big pain in my right butt when I sat, but then it turned into leg pain also. After months of trying to find out what was wrong and being misdiagnosed with a bulging disc I was told it most likely has to do with my piriformis. Accupuncturist said it was cramped/spassing, massage therapist said it was overly tight, and PT noticed my hips were out of alignment and snapped me back into place and gave me stretches and workouts to do, all have helped and am feeling about 90% most of the time but still experience discomfort at times. One key aggrevator is when I lay on my back, elevate my trunk, and lift then straighten my right leg out, thats when I feel discomfort in the affected butt and will feel a little leg pain as well. I can stretch the area then do it again and will feel nothing sometimes. If i just lie on my back without elevating my trunk and do the same thing, I dont generally feel anything. Anyways, here is the pic..what muscle is it and what lies underneath it if possible too. Thanks,

Dan

[Heidi]

Hi
The area you have circled in not one particular muscle, it kind of covers an area with a few different muscles in.
Gluteus medius is one of these which is a troublesome muscle and may be partly to blame.
Gluteus minimus is around there too. Piriformis, as you mentioned is another troublemaker!
The fact that you have had pain radiating down into the leg suggests that there is pressure on the sciatic nerve. These muscle can be to blame for this too. So I think it sounds like you have had the right treatment.
Have a look at our anatomy section - hip and pelvic girdle muscles:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/muscles/allmuscles.php