Hip adductors

Adductor longus muscle

Adductor longus is a triangular, most anteriorly placed muscle of the adductor group. Upon originating from the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, its muscle fibers course downwards and laterally to insert onto the middle third of the linea aspera.

This muscle is innervated by the anterior division of the obturator nerve (L2-L4). It receives its blood supply mainly from the deep femoral artery and contributions from the medial circumflex femoral and femoral arteries. 

The main function of adductor longus is to adduct the thigh at the hip joint. Additionally, it contributes to the flexion of the extended thigh, as well as the extension of the flexed thigh. Its contribution to the internal (medial) rotation of the thigh is still under discussion. 

Adductor brevis muscle

The adductor brevis is a triangular muscle and the shortest of the adductors. Its fibers originate from the lateral part of the body and inferior ramus of pubis, and course downwards, laterally and backwards to insert onto the superior half of the linea aspera. Adductor brevis is positioned anterior to the adductor magnus and posterior to adductor longus muscle. 

Like the majority of the thigh adductors, adductor brevis is innervated by the obturator nerve (L2-L4) and vascularized mainly by the deep femoral artery (profunda femoris). 

The main function of the adductor brevis muscle is the adduction of the thigh. Additionally, the adductor brevis muscle has a role in the flexion of the hip and some recent studies suggest it may also be involved in the external rotation of the thigh. 

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Learn the attachments, innervations and functions of the muscles of the hip and thigh faster and easier with our muscle charts!

Adductor magnus muscle

The adductor magnus is a massive fan-shaped sheet of muscle and the largest of the hip adductors. It consists of two distinct parts; the adductor part and the ischiocondylar (hamstring) part. The adductor part is considered to be part of the medial thigh (adductor) compartment, while the hamstring part functionally belongs to the posterior compartment of thigh. Its origin spans from the femoral surface of the ischiopubic ramus to the lateral part of the inferior surface of the ischial tuberosity. The adductor part of the muscle inserts onto the gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera and medial supracondylar line of femur, while the hamstring part inserts onto the adductor tubercle of femur.

Adductor magnus has a dual nerve supply; the adductor part is innervated by the posterior division of the obturator nerve (L2-L4), while the hamstring part is innervated by the tibial component of the sciatic nerve (L4-S3). The adductor magnus muscle has a complex blood supply, most of which comes via the branches of the femoral, deep femoral and obturator arteries.

Aside from being a strong adductor of the thigh, adductor magnus contributes to the flexion of the thigh (adductor part) and extension of the thigh (hamstring part).

Gracilis muscle

Gracilis is the most medial and most superficial muscle of the medial thigh compartment, overlying the other hip adductors. It is the only muscle from this group that crosses two joints; the hip and the knee. It extends from the body of pubis and ischiopubic ramus to the medial surface of the proximal tibia (pes anserinus). 

Gracilis is innervated by the obturator nerve (L2-L4). It receives its blood supply from the deep femoral and medial circumflex femoral arteries. 

Gracilis is one of the weakest adductors of the thigh. However, it acts as a strong flexor and internal (medial) rotator of the leg at the knee joint.

Pectineus muscle

The pectineus muscle is a short and quadrangular muscle positioned in the superomedial aspect of the thigh region. More specifically, it extends from the pubis to the line running between the lesser trochanter of femur and the upper part of the linea aspera.

Similarly to the adductor magnus muscle, pectineus frequently has dual innervation; the anterior part of the muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve (L2, L3), while the posterior part is supplied by obturator nerve (L2-L4). The pectineus receives its main blood supply from the medial circumflex femoral artery, and contributions from the femoral and obturator arteries. 

The main function of the pectineus muscle is to flex and adduct the thigh at the hip joint. 

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