Which muscles are responsible for hip abduction?

Which muscles are responsible for hip abduction?

• A. Tensor fasciae latae and Adductor magnus
• B. Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus
• C. Adductor longus and brevis
• D. Pectineus and Gracilis

Answer: (B)

Hip abduction means moving the thigh away from the midline of the body. The primary muscles that do this are the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. They sit on the outer hip and attach to the greater trochanter of the femur, pulling the thigh outward and helping to keep the pelvis level when you’re standing on one leg. The tensor fasciae latae can assist with abduction, especially when the hip is flexed, but it’s not the main mover in the neutral position. The other muscles listed mostly adduct the thigh (pull it toward the midline) or act as flexors, so they don’t serve as the primary abductors.

Hip abduction means moving the thigh away from the midline of the body. The primary muscles that do this are the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. They sit on the outer hip and attach to the greater trochanter of the femur, pulling the thigh outward and helping to keep the pelvis level when you’re standing on one leg.

The tensor fasciae latae can assist with abduction, especially when the hip is flexed, but it’s not the main mover in the neutral position. The other muscles listed mostly adduct the thigh (pull it toward the midline) or act as flexors, so they don’t serve as the primary abductors.