Which muscles are primarily responsible for hip adduction?

The primary muscles responsible for hip adduction are the adductor muscles, which include several key muscles such as the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracilis. These muscles work together to draw the thigh towards the midline of the body, facilitating movements such as bringing the legs together or stabilizing the hip during activities such as walking and running.

In contrast, the gluteus medius and minimus are primarily involved in hip abduction, not adduction, as they help to move the thigh away from the midline. The quadriceps are mainly responsible for knee extension and play a minimal role in hip adduction. The hamstrings, located at the back of the thigh, primarily function in knee flexion and hip extension, rather than adduction. Therefore, the adductor muscles are indeed the most significant contributors to hip adduction.