Which muscle is described as an hip abductor among the listed options?

Which muscle is described as an hip abductor among the listed options?

• A. Gracilis
• B. Piriformis
• C. Tibialis Anterior
• D. Extensor Digitorum Longus

Answer: (B)

Hip abduction means moving the thigh away from the midline. Of the muscles listed, piriformis is the one that can perform this action, but mainly when the hip is flexed. In a flexed hip, piriformis acts to abduct the thigh to help stabilize the femoral head in the socket; when the hip is extended it functions more as a lateral rotator. The other muscles here don’t abduct the hip—gracilis adducts the thigh, while tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus act on the foot. So, in a context describing hip abduction among these options, piriformis best fits the action.

Hip abduction means moving the thigh away from the midline. Of the muscles listed, piriformis is the one that can perform this action, but mainly when the hip is flexed. In a flexed hip, piriformis acts to abduct the thigh to help stabilize the femoral head in the socket; when the hip is extended it functions more as a lateral rotator. The other muscles here don’t abduct the hip—gracilis adducts the thigh, while tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus act on the foot. So, in a context describing hip abduction among these options, piriformis best fits the action.