Which muscle is primarily responsible for extending the hip at the joint?

• A. Gluteus medius
• B. Tensor fasciae latae
• C. Gluteus maximus
• D. Iliopsoas

Answer: (C)

Extending the hip means moving the thigh backward from the pelvis. The gluteus maximus is the primary muscle responsible for this movement. Its fibers run along the back of the hip, and when it contracts, it pulls the femur backward, straightening the hip. This muscle delivers the force needed for powerful hip extension during activities like standing up from a chair, climbing stairs, or sprinting.

Other muscles in the group have different roles: the gluteus medius mainly abducts the thigh and helps stabilize the pelvis, the tensor fasciae latae assists with flexion and abduction and tightens the iliotibial band, and the iliopsoas is the main hip flexor. While the hamstrings can assist with hip extension, the gluteus maximus is the primary extensor of the hip.