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The muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh are collectively known as the hip adductors. These muscles are responsible for moving the thigh or lower extremity closer to the body's central axis. They also help with balance and rotating the legs inward. The hip adductors include the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus. The adductor magnus is the largest muscle in the medial compartment, while the adductor brevis is the shortest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles | Adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, pectineus, obturator externus |
| Location | Medial compartment of the thigh |
| Function | Adduction of the thigh, flexion of the hip, rotation of the thigh |
| Innervation | Obturator nerve (L2-L4), tibial nerve, femoral nerve |
| Blood Supply | Femoral artery, obturator artery, deep femoral artery |
| Attachments | Pubis, ischium, femur, tibia |
| Role | Stabilize pelvis, maintain balance during walking, help with posture |
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What You'll Learn
Adductor longus
The adductor longus is a large, flat muscle in the medial compartment of the thigh. It is triangular and fan-shaped, forming the floor of the femoral triangle and adductor canal. The adductor longus muscle is one of the hip adductors, along with the adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus muscles. These muscles are responsible for moving the thigh or lower extremity closer to the body's central axis.
The adductor longus originates from the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, inferior to the pubic crest, and lateral to the pubic symphysis. It inserts onto the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera, between the insertion points of the adductor magnus and vastus medialis muscles, and inferior to the adductor brevis insertion. The muscle lies in front of the adductor magnus and adductor brevis muscles, the anterior branch of the obturator nerve, and the deep femoral vessels. The pectineus muscle is lateral to the adductor longus, while the gracilis muscle lies medially.
The obturator nerve innervates the adductor longus, specifically the anterior division or branch of the obturator nerve (L2-L4). The obturator nerve is a branch of the lumbar plexus, descending medial to the psoas major muscle to enter the pelvis. The obturator artery and vein are also related to the adductor longus, as well as the femoral artery and vein near its insertion.
The adductor longus muscle plays a role in the external/lateral rotation and flexion of the thigh. Its primary function, along with the other hip adductors, is to adduct the thigh at the hip joint. This action helps stabilise the pelvis during standing and aids in balancing the body on the lower limb while walking. Adduction of the thighs allows them to come together, assisting in balance, alignment, and rotation through the hips and legs.
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Adductor brevis
The adductor brevis muscle has a relatively narrow origin located on the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, while some fibres also arise from the lateral surface of the inferior pubic ramus. From there, the muscle widens into a triangular shape as it runs inferolaterally towards its insertion on the femur. The muscle inserts via an aponeurosis on the superior half of the medial lip of the linea aspera. The insertion continues halfway down an imaginary line between the lesser trochanter and linea aspera. This wide insertion is located on the upper third of the femur, medial to the insertion of the adductor magnus, and lateral to the insertion of the pectineus muscle.
The adductor brevis muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus. The obturator nerve is derived from the anterior branches of spinal nerves L2-L4. The blood supply for the adductor brevis muscle typically comes from the deep femoral artery (profunda femoris) and from its branch called the artery for the adductors. It can also be supplied partially from the medial circumflex femoral and obturator artery. Venous blood from this region is drained by the deep femoral vein, which empties into the femoral vein.
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Adductor magnus
The adductor magnus is a large, triangular muscle that extends over the entire medial side of the thigh. It is the largest and strongest muscle of the medial compartment of the thigh, which also includes the adductor longus, adductor brevis, pectineus, and gracilis muscles. The adductor magnus is a powerful adductor of the thigh and is especially active when the legs are moved from a wide-spread position to one in which the legs are parallel.
The adductor magnus is a composite muscle, consisting of two parts: the adductor part and the ischiocondylar part. The adductor part, also known as the pubofemoral part, arises from the outer surface of the inferior pubic ramus of the pubic bone and the ischial ramus. It can be further divided into two portions: the superior portion, which arises from the pubic ramus, and the inferior portion, which arises from the ischial ramus. The superior portion passes obliquely and almost horizontally to insert at the upper part of the linea aspera. The larger, inferior portion of the adductor part fibres that originate from the ischial ramus fan out to insert along the entire length of the linea aspera and the upper part of the medial supracondylar line.
The ischiocondylar part of the adductor magnus forms a thick medial margin that descends almost vertically towards the lower end of the thigh. It ends in a rounded tendon and inserts at the adductor tubercle on the medial femoral condyle. The adductor magnus occupies the majority of the medial portion of the thigh and is situated in both the posterior and medial fascial compartments of the thigh.
The adductor magnus is a dynamic stabiliser of the pelvis and femur, as well as a prime mover of the femur into adduction. It is also involved in the medial rotation of the thigh at the hip joint. The adductor magnus plays a similar role to the deltoid muscle, with one portion flexing the thigh and working as a medial rotator, while the other extends the thigh and is a lateral rotator. The adductor magnus also has a large hip extensor muscle moment arm, and it is a more effective hip extensor than the hamstrings or gluteus maximus when the hip is flexed.
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Gracilis
The gracilis muscle is a long and slender muscle located in the medial (adductor) compartment of the thigh. It is the most superficial of the hip adductors and the only hip adductor that crosses and acts on two joints: the hip and knee.
The gracilis muscle originates from the inferior rami of the pubis and the body of the pubis. It descends down the medial aspect of the thigh and attaches to the medial surface of the tibia. The muscle fibres travel inferiorly and eventually blend into a round tendon, which passes the medial condyle of the femur. At the level of the proximal part of the tibia, the gracilis tendon curves and fans out around the medial condyle of the tibia, joining the pes anserinus. The pes anserinus is also the attachment site of the sartorius and semitendinosus.
The gracilis muscle is innervated by the obturator nerve, a branch of the lumbar plexus, which arises from the L2-L4 spinal nerves. The obturator nerve innervates the gracilis muscle via the lumbar spinal vertebrae. The gracilis muscle receives the majority of its vascular supply from the 'artery to the adductors', a branch of the deep femoral artery.
The gracilis muscle is involved in adduction of the thigh at the hip, as well as flexion of the leg at the knee. It also aids in medial rotation of the hip and flexion of the knee. These actions play an important role in maintaining balance during walking.
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Pectineus
The pectineus muscle is a flat, quadrangular muscle located in the superomedial part of the anterior thigh. It is one of the muscles located on the medial thigh, alongside a group of four primary large muscles: the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, and gracilis muscles. The pectineus muscle assists in hip adduction, flexion, and rotation, and helps stabilise the pelvis and balance the trunk on the lower extremity during walking.
The pectineus muscle is considered a transitional muscle between the anterior thigh and medial thigh. It is innervated by the femoral nerve (L2 and L3) and, in some cases, by the obturator nerve. The muscle is also associated with the psoas major muscle and the medial circumflex femoral artery and vein. The anterior surface of the pectineus forms the medial part of the floor of the femoral triangle, along with the adductor longus. This surface is covered by the deep layer of fascia lata, which separates it from the femoral artery, femoral vein, and great saphenous vein.
The pectineus muscle originates from the pectineal line of the pubis and extends to the top of the femur. It has the most superior attachment of all the thigh adductors, with its fibres passing downward, backward, and lateral, to be inserted into the pectineal line of the femur, which leads from the lesser trochanter to the linea aspera. The pectineus muscle can become injured through overstretching, rapid movements, or remaining in the same position for too long.
The functions of the pectineus muscle include adduction, flexion, and internal and external rotation of the thigh at the hip joint. It is the most anterior adductor of the hip, with its primary action being hip flexion. The muscle is classified in the medial compartment of the thigh when emphasising its function, and in the anterior compartment when emphasising its nerve.
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Frequently asked questions
The muscles that adduct the thigh are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus.
The adductor muscles allow you to bring your thighs toward each other (adduction). They also help you stay balanced, keep your legs and hips in alignment, and allow rotation through your hips and legs.
The adductor magnus is the largest adductor muscle. It is made up of two parts: the adductor component and the hamstring component.
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