CorpusHuman Anatomy
MuscularMuscle

Adductor magnus

Musculus adductor magnus

Also known as: adductor hiatus, hamstring part of adductor magnus

The largest and deepest adductor, a composite muscle with an adductor part (obturator nerve) and a hamstring part (tibial nerve). The adductor hiatus in its tendon transmits the femoral vessels to the popliteal fossa.

Show on body map Muscles — Posterior View

Overview

Adductor magnus has two parts with different origins, actions and nerves.
- Adductor (pubofemoral) part: from the inferior pubic ramus and ischial ramus to the gluteal tuberosity, the linea aspera and the medial supracondylar line. Fibres run horizontally to obliquely. It adducts and flexes the thigh and is supplied by the posterior division of the obturator nerve.
- Hamstring (ischiocondylar) part: from the ischial tuberosity to the adductor tubercle of the femur by a cord-like tendon. Fibres run vertically. It extends the hip and is supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve, like the true hamstrings.

Between the aponeurotic insertion on the supracondylar line and the tendon to the adductor tubercle is a gap, the adductor hiatus. Through it the femoral artery and vein pass from the adductor canal into the popliteal fossa and become the popliteal vessels. The muscle forms the floor of the medial thigh and the posterior wall of the adductor canal.

Parts & subdivisions

  1. Adductor part
    Ischiopubic ramus → linea aspera. Obturator nerve. Adduction and flexion.
  2. Hamstring part
    Ischial tuberosity → adductor tubercle. Tibial nerve. Extension.
  3. Adductor hiatus
    Opening above the adductor tubercle for the femoral vessels as they become the popliteal vessels.

Anatomy

Origin

Adductor part: inferior ramus of the pubis and ramus of the ischium. Hamstring part: ischial tuberosity.

Insertion

Adductor part: gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera and medial supracondylar line. Hamstring part: adductor tubercle of the femur.

Action

Adduction of the thigh; adductor part flexes and hamstring part extends the hip.

Innervation

Adductor part: obturator nerve (posterior division). Hamstring part: tibial division of the sciatic nerve.

Nerve roots

L2–L4 (adductor part); L4 (hamstring part)

Arterial supply

Profunda femoris artery and its perforating branches; obturator artery; femoral artery (descending genicular).

Relations

The femoral vessels pass through its hiatus. Its hamstring part lies against semimembranosus.

Function

  • Adducts the thigh
  • Flexes (adductor part) and extends (hamstring part) the hip
  • Stabilises the pelvis

Clinical significance

Adductor canal block

Local anaesthetic placed in the adductor canal blocks the saphenous nerve (and the nerve to vastus medialis) for analgesia after knee surgery, while largely sparing quadriceps strength.

Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Muscular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.