Overview & Anatomy
The muscle originates from the body of the pubic bone near the pubic symphysis. It inserts into the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera of the femur (linea aspera).
On a topographic transverse cross-section of the upper third of the thigh, it is visualized within the medial compartment alongside the adductor magnus (m. adductor magnus) and gracilis (m. gracilis) muscles.
Function
The primary action of the muscle is thigh adduction. Additionally, it participates in thigh flexion and lateral rotation (external rotation).
Blood supply and innervation
- Blood supply: provided by branches of the obturator artery (a. obturatoria) and deep artery of the thigh (a. profunda femoris). Near the proximal border of the adductor longus, the second perforating artery branches off the deep artery of the thigh. The adventitia of the perforating arteries is fused with the edges of the adductor tendons. When injured, the lumens of such vessels do not collapse (they gape), leading to prolonged and difficult-to-control hemorrhage.
- Innervation: supplied by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (n. obturatorius), segments L2–L3.
Topography and adjacent structures
- Femoral triangle: m. adductor longus forms its medial boundary. The lateral boundary is formed by the sartorius muscle (m. sartorius), and the base by the inguinal ligament (lig. inguinale). Within this triangle, the femoral artery (a. femoralis) lies on the adductor longus and pectineus muscles.
- Adductor canal (canalis adductorius, Hunter's canal): the muscle forms the posterior wall of the canal in its upper portion; lower down, this function is performed by the adductor magnus. The lateral wall of the canal is formed by the vastus medialis muscle, and the roof by the vastoadductor membrane (lamina vastoadductoria).
Clinical significance
- 5q SMA Diagnosis: In the differential diagnosis of proximal 5q spinal muscular atrophy in patients without genetic confirmation, a specific pattern is identified. In the late stages of the disease, hypertrophy and relative sparing of the adductor longus muscle are observed against the background of fatty replacement of muscle tissue.
- Electroneuromyography (EMG): m. adductor longus is used as one of the target muscles for needle EMG alongside the iliopsoas, quadriceps, and paraspinal muscles. The study helps determine the level of the lesion—proximal or distal to the inguinal ligament—and rules out high lumbar plexopathy or radiculopathy. Comparison with the healthy side should be performed.
Class and exam questions
What walls of the femoral triangle and adductor canal are formed by this muscle?
It forms the medial border of the femoral triangle and the posterior wall of the upper portion of the adductor canal (Hunter's canal).
Which nerve innervates the adductor longus muscle?
Innervation is provided by the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (n. obturatorius), segments L2–L3.
What is the characteristic feature of the muscle in 5q spinal muscular atrophy?
In this disease, a specific diagnostic pattern is observed in the late stages: hypertrophy and relative sparing of the adductor longus muscle against the background of fatty replacement of muscle tissue.
What else to study on this topic
- Femoral triangle
- Adductor canal (Hunter's canal)
- Obturator nerve (n. obturatorius)
- Deep artery of the thigh (a. profunda femoris)
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