Location and anatomy
- Origin (O): originates from the inferior ramus of the pubis and the ramus of the ischium up to the ischial tuberosity (tuber ischiadicum).
- Insertion (I): inserts along the entire length of the medial linea aspera of the femur (medial linea aspera) and the adductor tubercle (adductor tubercle).
- Structural features: the tendon arches over the medial epicondyle and forms a tendinous arch — the tendinous hiatus (hiatus adductorius or hiatus tendineus).
What is its function?
- It is a powerful adductor muscle of the thigh.
- The posteromedial muscle bundles partially extend the thigh.
- Participates in thigh rotation.
Blood supply and innervation
- Blood supply: primarily provided by perforating arteries (aa. perforantes) branching from the deep artery of the thigh, as well as the obturator artery (a. obturatoria). The perforating arteries pierce the adductor muscles and run toward the posterior aspect of the thigh.
- Innervation: the greater part of the muscle is innervated by branches of the obturator nerve (n. obturatorius), while the posterior bundles extending to the adductor tubercle are innervated by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve (n. ischiadicus).
Topography and adjacent structures
The muscle is located in the medial fascial compartment of the thigh. On the posterior aspect of the thigh, it belongs to the deep layer.
Participation in the formation of the adductor canal (Hunter's canal, canalis adductorius):
- M. adductor magnus forms the medial wall of the canal.
- The lateral wall is formed by the vastus medialis muscle (m. vastus medialis).
- The roof of the canal is formed by the vastoadductor membrane (lamina vastoadductoria / septum intermusculare vastoadductoria).
Tendinous hiatus (hiatus adductorius): Serves as the exit of the adductor canal into the popliteal fossa. Through it, the femoral artery and vein (a. et v. femoralis) pass into the popliteal artery and vein (a. et v. poplitea). The saphenous nerve (n. saphenus) does not pass through this hiatus, leaving the canal through the anterior opening together with the descending genicular artery.
Clinical significance
- The tendinous hiatus of the adductor magnus serves as a topographic landmark and the border between the femoral canal and the popliteal fossa.
- Compression of the femoral vessels or the saphenous nerve in the narrow part of the adductor canal can cause ischemic pain in the leg and foot, as well as paresthesias on the medial surface of the leg.
Class and exam questions
Which vessels pass through the tendinous hiatus of the adductor magnus muscle?
The femoral artery and femoral vein pass through the tendinous hiatus (hiatus adductorius). Upon emerging into the popliteal fossa, they continue as the popliteal artery and popliteal vein.
Does the saphenous nerve pass through the tendinous hiatus?
No, the saphenous nerve (n. saphenus) does not pass through the tendinous hiatus. It leaves the adductor canal through the anterior opening together with the descending genicular artery.
How does the posterior muscle group of the thigh receive blood supply if there are no major arteries there?
The blood supply to the posterior region of the thigh is provided by the perforating arteries (aa. perforantes). They branch off the deep artery of the thigh, perforate the adductor magnus muscle, and run into the posterior compartment of the thigh.
How is the dual innervation of the adductor magnus muscle implemented?
The greater part of the muscle is innervated by branches of the obturator nerve, and the posterior bundles to the adductor tubercle are supplied by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve.
What else to study on this topic
- Adductor canal (Hunter's canal)
- Perforating arteries of the thigh
- Popliteal fossa
- Obturator nerve
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