Which muscle abducts the hip?

• A. Gluteus Minimus
• B. Gluteus Medius
• C. Adductor Longus
• D. Gracilis

Answer: (A)

Hip abduction means moving the thigh away from the midline of the body. The muscles that perform this movement are the gluteal muscles on the side of the hip. The gluteus medius sits on the outer surface of the pelvis and attaches to the greater trochanter; its fibers pull the femur outward, giving the main abduction of the hip and helping to keep the pelvis level during walking. The gluteus minimus lies just deeper and also contributes to abduction, with the added role of medially rotating the thigh when the hip is flexed.

The other two muscles shown—adductor longus and gracilis—are adductors; they pull the thigh toward the midline and are not primary abductors, though they can assist in other motions depending on leg position.