The largest muscle in the human body is the gluteus maximus. This major muscle is located in the buttocks and plays a crucial role in hip extension, external rotation, and abduction.
Understanding the Gluteus Maximus
Multiple sources confirm the gluteus maximus's status as the largest muscle by mass. This is supported by numerous articles, including those from reputable sources like the Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/item/what-is-the-strongest-muscle-in-the-human-body/), Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/health/largest-muscle-in-the-body), and Live Science (https://www.livescience.com/health/anatomy/whats-the-largest-muscle-in-the-body-and-the-smallest). Even though skeletal muscle as a whole is the largest organ system, the gluteus maximus holds the title for largest individual muscle.
While some sources might mention the importance of other large muscles, such as those in the thighs (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21936-thigh-muscles), the gluteus maximus consistently emerges as the largest single muscle.
- Key characteristics: Powerful, located in the buttocks, responsible for several crucial lower body movements.
Clarification on "Largest Muscle"
It's important to note that "largest" can refer to either mass or overall size. The gluteus maximus wins based on mass. The question, as it stands, is most accurately answered by focusing on the largest muscle by mass.
