Adductor canal

Anatomical illustration of the adductor canal

The adductor canal (also known as the subsartorial canal or Hunter’s canal) is an aponeurotic passage located in the middle third of the thigh. It extends from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus, a gap in the adductor magnus muscle. This canal serves as a conduit for key neurovascular structures as they transition from the anterior thigh to the posterior knee.

Anatomy and Boundaries

The adductor canal is positioned between the anterior compartment of thigh and the medial compartment of thigh. It is bordered by the following structures:

• Anteriorly: Covered by the sartorius muscle.
• Posteromedially: Bounded by the adductor longus and adductor magnus muscles.
• Laterally: Defined by the vastus medialis muscle.

A strong aponeurosis spans the canal, extending from the vastus medialis to the adductor muscles. This aponeurosis plays a protective role for the neurovascular structures passing through.

Contents of the Adductor Canal

The adductor canal contains several key anatomical structures, which include:

• Femoral artery – A major arterial supply to the lower limb.
• Femoral vein – Returns deoxygenated blood from the lower extremities.
• Branches of the femoral nerve:
• Saphenous nerve – A sensory nerve supplying the medial leg and foot.
• Nerve to the vastus medialis – Provides motor innervation to the vastus medialis muscle.

Openings of the Adductor Canal

The adductor canal has three foramina through which its contents enter and exit:

• 1. Superior foramen: The femoral artery, femoral vein, and saphenous nerve enter the canal from the femoral triangle.
• 2. Anterior foramen: The saphenous nerve and descending genicular artery exit by piercing the vastoadductor intermuscular septum.
• 3. Inferior foramen (adductor hiatus): The femoral artery and femoral vein exit through the space between the oblique and medial heads of the adductor magnus muscle, transitioning into the popliteal artery and popliteal vein.

Function and Clinical Significance

The adductor canal serves as a vital passageway for neurovascular structures as they course from the anterior thigh to the posterior knee. It ensures an uninterrupted supply of blood and innervation to the lower extremity.

Clinical Applications

• Adductor Canal Block: A regional anesthesia technique used to provide pain relief for knee surgeries. It targets the saphenous nerve within the adductor canal to reduce post-operative pain without significant motor impairment.
• Compression Syndromes: The femoral artery or femoral vein can occasionally become compressed within the adductor canal, leading to vascular insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
• Peripheral Nerve Pathologies: Injury to the saphenous nerve within the canal may result in numbness or pain along the medial aspect of the lower leg.

Eponym

The adductor canal is also called Hunter’s canal, named after the Scottish surgeon John Hunter (surgeon), who described its anatomical significance.

Additional Images

• 
  Adductor canal dissection
• 
  Medial view of the adductor canal

See Also

• Femoral triangle
• Sartorius muscle
• Adductor magnus
• Popliteal artery
• Saphenous nerve

External Links

• UltrasoundBlock.com – Adductor Canal Block
• Anatomy photo:12:07-0103 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Anterior and Medial Thigh Region: Sartorius Muscle and the Adductor Canal"
• Anatomy photo:12:08-0105 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Anterior and Medial Thigh Region: Structures of the Adductor Canal"

Gray's Anatomy

• Gray's Anatomy Contents
• Gray's Anatomy Subject Index
• About Classic Gray's Anatomy
• Glossary of anatomy terms

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

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