During normal walking gait, which muscle group is primarily responsible for preventing contralateral pelvic drop (Trendelenburg mechanism)?

• A Ipsilateral hip adductors (adductor magnus)
• B Contralateral hip extensors (gluteus maximus)
• C Ipsilateral quadriceps femoris
• D Ipsilateral hip abductors (gluteus medius and minimus) ✓

Explanation

During the stance phase of gait, when one limb is on the ground, the ipsilateral hip abductors (gluteus medius and minimus) contract to stabilize the pelvis by preventing it from dropping to the contralateral (swing) side. Weakness of these muscles produces the Trendelenburg sign — the pelvis drops to the opposite side when standing on the affected limb. This is important in superior gluteal nerve palsy. Hip adductors and quadriceps do not perform this stabilizing function.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.