What muscle abducts the hip?

The two most important muscles that produce abduction at the hip joint are the gluteus medius and the gluteus minimus. Another abductor of the hip joint is the tensor fascia lata.

The gluteus medius overlies the gluteus minimus and arises from the ilium. It is inserted on the outer aspect of the greater trochanter. Although the main purpose of the gluteus medius is to act as a hip abductor, its anterior part produces medial rotation at the hip as well. The gluteus minimus arises from the wing of the ilium and is inserted on the front of the greater trochanter. The tensor fascia lata inserts on the ilio-tibial tract and arises from the iliac tract.