Which muscle extends the hip and laterally rotates the hip?

• A. Gluteus Maximus
• B. Gluteus Medius
• C. Tensor Fasciae Latae
• D. Iliopsoas

Answer: (A)

Extending the hip and rotating it outward are actions led by the gluteus maximus. This large posterior buttock muscle is the primary hip extensor, pulling the femur backward to straighten the hip, and it also rotates the thigh laterally when it contracts. Its fibers originate from the ilium, sacrum, and coccyx and insert mainly on the gluteal tuberosity and the iliotibial tract, giving it the leverage to produce both backward movement and outward rotation, especially when the hip is extended.

The other muscles don’t match both actions together. The gluteus medius primarily abducts the hip and stabilizes the pelvis, with some minor external rotation from its posterior fibers but not as the main extensor. The tensor fasciae latae mainly assists in flexion and medial rotation, and the iliopsoas is a primary hip flexor, not an extensor or external rotator.