Muscle
Adductor magnus
Broad hip adductor with a hamstring-like portion
High-yield
Its adductor hiatus allows the femoral vessels to pass behind the knee, where the artery becomes popliteal. The usual obturator-versus-tibial nerve split is a useful starting map, but the territories can overlap.
Overview
Adductor magnus spans much of the medial thigh. A broad portion reaches the posterior femoral shaft, while a more vertical portion runs from the ischial tuberosity to the adductor tubercle near the knee.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Adductor portion: inferior pubic and ischial rami. Hamstring-like portion: ischial tuberosity
- Insertion
- Broad attachment from the gluteal tuberosity region along the linea aspera and medial supracondylar line; vertical portion attaches at the adductor tubercle
- Action
- Adducts the hip; anterior fibers can aid flexion, while the hamstring-like portion contributes to extension
- Innervation
- Classically posterior obturator division (L2-L4) for the adductor portion and tibial division of sciatic, often mapped to L4, for the hamstring-like portion; additional cross-supply occurs
- Blood supply
- Perforating branches of profunda femoris, with obturator and other regional arterial contributions
Clinical correlation
Its proximal tendon lies close to the hamstring tendon origins at the ischial tuberosity. On imaging or during surgery, this separate tendon can resemble an intact hamstring tendon and complicate assessment of a hamstring avulsion.
Frequently asked questions
What does the adductor magnus do?
Adducts the hip; anterior fibers can aid flexion, while the hamstring-like portion contributes to extension.
What nerve innervates the adductor magnus?
Classically posterior obturator division (L2-L4) for the adductor portion and tibial division of sciatic, often mapped to L4, for the hamstring-like portion; additional cross-supply occurs.
Where does the adductor magnus attach?
Origin: Adductor portion: inferior pubic and ischial rami. Hamstring-like portion: ischial tuberosity. Insertion: Broad attachment from the gluteal tuberosity region along the linea aspera and medial supracondylar line; vertical portion attaches at the adductor tubercle.
What is the blood supply of the adductor magnus?
The adductor magnus is supplied by the perforating branches of profunda femoris, with obturator and other regional arterial contributions.