At initial contact, the hip is described as externally rotated in the horizontal plane. Which option correctly reflects this?

At initial contact, the hip is described as externally rotated in the horizontal plane. Which option correctly reflects this?

• A. Externally rotated
• B. Internally rotated
• C. Abducted
• D. Adducted

Answer: (A)

In the horizontal (transverse) plane, rotation is about the vertical axis of the hip. Externally rotating the hip means the thigh turns outward relative to the pelvis, so the knee and foot point away from the midline. That outward orientation matches the description given for initial contact. Internal rotation would be the opposite, turning toward the midline. Abduction and adduction describe movement away from or toward the midline in the frontal plane, not rotation around the vertical axis, so they don’t describe the horizontal-plane orientation.

In the horizontal (transverse) plane, rotation is about the vertical axis of the hip. Externally rotating the hip means the thigh turns outward relative to the pelvis, so the knee and foot point away from the midline. That outward orientation matches the description given for initial contact. Internal rotation would be the opposite, turning toward the midline. Abduction and adduction describe movement away from or toward the midline in the frontal plane, not rotation around the vertical axis, so they don’t describe the horizontal-plane orientation.