Which muscle inserts into the iliotibial band and posterior femur and is the main extensor of the hip?

Which muscle inserts into the iliotibial band and posterior femur and is the main extensor of the hip?

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

Answer: (B)

Gluteus maximus is the muscle that fits both clues. It attaches to the iliotibial band and to the posterior femur (via the gluteal tuberosity), and it is the primary hip extensor, especially when the hip moves from a flexed position into extension. The other muscles don’t combine these two features: gluteus medius and minimus insert on the greater trochanter and act mainly as abductors and medial rotators; tensor fasciae latae also anchors to the IT band but primarily flexes and abducts the hip and tenses the fascia lata rather than providing the main hip extension.

Gluteus maximus is the muscle that fits both clues. It attaches to the iliotibial band and to the posterior femur (via the gluteal tuberosity), and it is the primary hip extensor, especially when the hip moves from a flexed position into extension. The other muscles don’t combine these two features: gluteus medius and minimus insert on the greater trochanter and act mainly as abductors and medial rotators; tensor fasciae latae also anchors to the IT band but primarily flexes and abducts the hip and tenses the fascia lata rather than providing the main hip extension.