Which muscle extends the hip and laterally rotates the thigh?

• A. Gluteus Maximus
• B. Biceps Femoris
• C. Adductor Longus
• D. Iliopsoas

Answer: (A)

Extending the hip and laterally rotating the thigh require a muscle that crosses the hip joint and pulls the femur backward while twisting it outward. The gluteus maximus is the primary hip extensor, and its posterior fibers specifically contribute to external (lateral) rotation of the thigh as the hip extends. This combination exactly matches the actions described. The other muscles don’t perform both actions together: the biceps femoris can help extend the hip but is mainly involved in knee movement and lateral rotation of the leg rather than the thigh; adductor longus mainly adducts and medially rotates the thigh; iliopsoas mainly flexes the hip and does not extend or laterally rotate the thigh.