Adductor longus muscle

Adductor longus muscle

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Anterior view of the hip muscles, including the adductor longus

The adductor longus muscle is a skeletal muscle located in the thigh. It is one of the adductor muscles of the hip, which are responsible for the adduction of the femur at the hip joint.

Anatomy

The adductor longus is a triangular muscle, broad at its origin and narrow at its insertion. It originates from the pubis at the superior aspect of the pubic body, just below the pubic tubercle. The muscle then extends downwards and laterally, inserting into the middle third of the linea aspera of the femur.

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The adductor longus muscle highlighted in red

Relations

The adductor longus is situated anteriorly in the medial compartment of the thigh. It lies anterior to the adductor brevis and adductor magnus muscles. Medially, it is bordered by the gracilis muscle, and laterally, it is adjacent to the pectineus muscle.

Function

The primary function of the adductor longus is to adduct the thigh. It also assists in hip flexion and medial rotation of the thigh. During activities such as walking, running, and riding a bicycle, the adductor longus plays a crucial role in stabilizing the pelvis and controlling the movement of the leg.

Innervation

The adductor longus is innervated by the obturator nerve, which arises from the lumbar plexus, specifically from the anterior divisions of the L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves.

Blood supply

The blood supply to the adductor longus is primarily from the obturator artery and the deep femoral artery.

Clinical significance

Injuries to the adductor longus, such as strains or tears, are common in athletes, particularly those involved in sports requiring sudden changes in direction or intense adduction movements, such as soccer or hockey. Such injuries are often referred to as "groin pulls."

Gallery

• Muscles of the right leg, anterior view
  Muscles of the right leg, anterior view
• The adductor longus muscle in relation to the hip joint
  The adductor longus muscle in relation to the hip joint
• The adductor longus muscle in relation to the femur
  The adductor longus muscle in relation to the femur
• Cross-section of the thigh showing the adductor longus
  Cross-section of the thigh showing the adductor longus
• The adductor longus muscle in a dissected view
  The adductor longus muscle in a dissected view
• The adductor longus muscle in a cross-section of the thigh
  The adductor longus muscle in a cross-section of the thigh
• Diagram of a cross-section of the thigh
  Diagram of a cross-section of the thigh
• Anatomical dissection showing the adductor longus
  Anatomical dissection showing the adductor longus
• Slide showing the adductor longus muscle
  Slide showing the adductor longus muscle

Related pages

• Adductor magnus muscle
• Adductor brevis muscle
• Gracilis muscle
• Pectineus muscle