These trochanter serve as sites for muscle attachments. The acetabulum fits tightly around the head of the femur so that unlike the shoulder, the hip sacrifices degree of movement for additional stability. Abduction is movement of the leg away from midline and is limited by the greater trochanter contacting the outer ridge of the acetabulum. Adduction is movement of the leg towards the midline. Medial rotation is seen by rotating the leg inward about a vertical axis.
Lateral rotation is a more extensive movement for the hip, and is outward about a vertical axis.
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