Which muscle helps with hip abduction and medial rotation?

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

Answer: (A)

The key idea is a muscle that can both move the thigh away from the midline and turn it inward. The gluteus medius is the primary hip abductor, sitting on the outside of the pelvis to lift the leg away from the midline. Its front (anterior) fibers rotate the thigh inward, especially when the hip is flexed, so it can medially rotate as part of its abduction function. While other muscles like the tensor fasciae latae can assist with abduction and medial rotation, the gluteus medius provides the main abduction and its anterior fibers reliably mediate inward rotation, making it the best match. The iliopsoas mainly flexes the hip, the adductor longus mainly adducts, so they don’t fit the combined actions as well.