NPTE Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Practice Exam – Prep & Study Guide

The correct answer highlights the muscles that play a significant role in lateral or external rotation of the hip. The gluteus maximus is particularly powerful in this motion due to its posterior positioning. The obturator externus and internus, which are deep hip rotators, also contribute significantly to the external rotation of the hip. Piriformis, another deep muscle, aids in this action, especially when the hip is flexed. Lastly, sartorius, which runs diagonally across the thigh, assists in hip lateral rotation among its other functions, such as flexion and abduction.

When looking at the other options, it is clear that they do not focus on the appropriate muscle groups responsible for lateral rotation. The adductors and pectineus are primarily involved in hip adduction and flexion, while the quadriceps predominantly function to extend the knee and the hamstrings flex the knee. The gluteus medius and minimus primarily facilitate hip abduction and internal rotation, not lateral rotation. Therefore, option C encompasses the complete set of muscles involved in lateral/external rotation of the hip, making it the most accurate choice.