Adductor magnus muscle

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 2 Aug 2021

The adductor magnus muscle is the largest and deepest of the muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh. Like the adductor longus and brevis muscles, the adductor magnus is a triangular or fan-shaped muscle anchored by its apex to the pelvis and attached by its expanded base to the femur.

  • origin
    • adductor part: ischiopubic ramus
    • hamstring part: ischial tuberosity
  • insertion
    • adductor part: posterior surface of proximal femur, linea aspera, medial supracondylar line
    • hamstring part: adductor tubercle and supracondylar line
  • action: adducts and medially rotates thigh at hip joint
  • arterial supply: profunda femoris
  • innervation

Near the base of the adductor magnus muscle is the adductor hiatus which is the terminal portion of the adductor canal 4. The contents of the adductor canal include the superficial femoral artery and vein, nerve to vastus medialis and saphenous nerve. When the superficial femoral artery and vein exit the adductor hiatus and enter the popliteal fossa they become the popliteal artery and vein respectively.

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