Adductor Magnus
| |
| Adductor Magnus | |
|---|---|
| Muscle Type | |
| Origin | Adductor part – inferior pubic ramus and ischial ramus; Hamstring part – ischial tuberosity |
| Insertion | Adductor part – posterior femur (gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, medial supracondylar line); Hamstring part – adductor tubercle of femur |
| Action | Adducts thigh (powerfully); Adductor part flexes thigh; Hamstring part extends thigh |
| Synergists | |
| Antagonists | Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fascia Lata, Iliopsoas |
| Spinal innervation | |
| Peripheral Innervation | Adductor part – Obturator nerve (posterior division, L2–L4); Hamstring part – Tibial division of sciatic nerve (L4–S1) |
| Vasculature | Deep femoral artery (perforating branches); obturator artery |
The adductor magnus is the largest muscle of the medial thigh, comprising two parts: an adductor (pubofemoral) portion and a hamstring (ischiocondylar) portion. It spans from the pelvis to the femur and crosses into the posterior compartment. Adductor magnus is a powerful thigh adductor and also assists in hip extension (via its hamstring part). It forms the medial mass of the thigh and creates the adductor hiatus through which vessels pass into the popliteal fossa. Its size and dual innervation reflect its composite nature and broad function.
Structure
Adductor magnus is a massive triangular muscle covering the medial thigh, often described as having two distinct parts (anterior “adductor” portion and a posterior “hamstring” portion). It has a broad fan-like origin and multiple insertions along the femur. It is essentially a composite muscle (part adductor, part extensor).
Origin
The adductor (pubofemoral) part originates from the inferior ramus of the pubis and the ramus of the ischium (the ischiopubic ramus).
The hamstring (ischiocondylar) part originates from the ischial tuberosity (the bump we sit on), sharing a common origin area with the hamstring muscles (hence its name).
These origins cover a large area: the adductor part arises alongside brevis (and below it) and extends to the ischial ramus; the hamstring part arises with the hamstrings.
Insertion
- The adductor part inserts along the linea aspera of the femur (specifically on the gluteal tuberosity, the linea aspera’s medial lip, and down to the medial supracondylar line). This is a long, broad insertion on the posterior femur.
- The hamstring part inserts as a distinct tendon on the adductor tubercle of the medial femoral condyle (just above the medial epicondyle).
Between these two insertion regions is the adductor hiatus, a gap in the attachment above the medial condyle. This hiatus allows passage of the femoral vessels from anterior thigh to posterior
