Which nerve is responsible for hip abduction?

The nerve responsible for hip abduction is the superior gluteal nerve. This nerve innervates the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles, which are primarily involved in the abduction of the hip. The gluteus medius, in particular, plays a critical role in stabilizing the pelvis during walking and facilitating the movement of the thigh away from the midline of the body.

Additionally, the role of the inferior gluteal nerve primarily involves innervating the gluteus maximus, which is important for hip extension and external rotation rather than abduction. The obturator nerve is mainly responsible for adductor muscles of the thigh, and the femoral nerve primarily innervates the quadriceps muscle, which is involved in knee extension. Understanding the specific functions of these nerves clarifies their relevance to hip movement and muscle actions.