Which muscle abducts and medially rotates the thigh?

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

Answer: (D)

Abduction of the thigh combined with medial (inward) rotation is characteristic of the gluteal muscles that act on the hip with a medial pull. The gluteus minimus does this well: it originates on the ilium and inserts on the front of the greater trochanter, so when it contracts it lifts the thigh away from the midline (abduction) and, via its anterior fibers, rotates the thigh inward (medial rotation), especially when the hip is flexed. The other muscles in the set either don’t primarily provide both actions (gluteus maximus is a hip extensor and lateral rotator; tensor fasciae latae assists with abduction and medial rotation but is also a flexor), so gluteus minimus best fits the combination of abducting and medially rotating the thigh.