Final answer:
The gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in the human body, named for its size and being part of the gluteal group of muscles responsible for hip extension. So the correct answer is Option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the name, the largest muscle in your body is C. gluteus maximus. The naming of muscles often reflects their anatomical location, shape, size, length, and relation to the midline of the body. For instance, muscles in the buttocks are named gluteus maximus for the largest, gluteus medius for the medium-sized, and gluteus minimus for the smallest. Additionally, 'brevis' indicates a short muscle, 'lateralis' means located away from the midline, and 'rectus' refers to muscles with straight fibers, such as the rectus abdominis.
The gluteus maximus is one of the gluteal muscles and is responsible for the extension of the hip joint, making it a crucial muscle for movements like climbing stairs or standing up from a sitting position. This muscle's size and power enable these actions, distinguishing it as the largest muscle by volume in the human body.