Question

What is the primary action of the gluteus medias?

A. Hip extension
B. Hip adduction
C. Hip abduction
D. Hip flexion

Answer 1

The primary action of the gluteus medius is c) hip abduction, which entails moving the femur laterally away from the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary action of the gluteus medius is c) hip abduction.

This muscle is situated deep to the gluteus maximus and is responsible for moving the femur laterally away from the body in the coronal plane. The gluteus medius does not primarily perform hip extension, hip adduction, or hip flexion; these actions are associated with other muscles in the gluteal group, such as the gluteus maximus, which is responsible for hip extension, and adductor muscles of the thigh, which are involved in hip adduction.

Answer 2

The gluteus medius primarily performs hip abduction, moving the thigh laterally away from the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary action of the gluteus medius is hip abduction. This muscle is located deep to the gluteus maximus and is responsible for moving the femur laterally away from the body. Contrary to hip extension, which is mainly the role of the gluteus maximus, or hip adduction, which is facilitated by muscles like the adductor longus and adductor brevis, the gluteus medius specifically aids in moving the thigh outward, a movement important for gait and balance.

The gluteus medius is a muscle located in the gluteal region that is deep to the gluteus maximus. It functions to move the femur away from the midline of the body, which is known as hip abduction.