Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Ya. 2009

Muscles and Fascia of the Lower Limb
Muscles of the Free Lower Limb
Medial Group of Thigh Muscles

The Medial Group of thigh Muscles comprises the gracilis, pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, and adductor magnus (Fig. 131).

The primary function of this Muscle group is to adduct the thigh, hence they are commonly referred to as the adductors. Due to bipedalism, they are strongly developed in humans.

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Fig. 131. Muscles of the pelvis and thigh (internal pelvic muscles, as well as the anterior and medial muscle groups of the thigh)

1 — piriformis, 2 — obturator internus, 3 — sacrospinous ligament, 4 — gluteus maximus, 5 — sacrotuberous ligament, 6 — adductor magnus, 7 — gracilis, 8 — semitendinosus, 9 — semimembranosus, 10 — medial HEAD of the gastrocnemius, 11 — vastus medialis, 12 — sartorius, 13 — rectus femoris, 14 — adductor longus, 15 — pectineus, 16 — iliacus, 17 — psoas major

The gracilis muscle (m. gracilis) is a flat, elongated muscle located superficially along the entire medial aspect of the thigh. It originates from the lower half of the Pubic Symphysis and the inferior ramus of the pubis. It inserts onto the Medial surface of the superior part of the tibial body, participating in The formation of the superficial pes anserinus. Function: adducts the thigh, flexes the leg, and rotates it medially.

Innervation: obturator nerve (L_ІІ—L_ІV).

The pectineus muscle (m. pectineus) is a short, flat, quadrilateral muscle. It originates from the pecten and superior ramus of the pubis, runs downward and slightly laterally, and inserts inferiorly and posteriorly to the lesser trochanter along the pectineal line and the medial lip of the linea aspera of the Femur. Function: adducts and flexes the thigh.

Innervation: obturator nerve (L_II—L_ІІІ).

The adductor longus muscle (m. adductor longus) is a flat, somewhat triangular muscle located on the anteromedial surface of the thigh. It originates via a short, thick tendon from the external surface of the upper region of the pubic bone (between the pubic crest and pubic symphysis). Extending downward and laterally, it gradually widens and inserts via a thin, broad tendon into the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera of the femur. Function: adducts the thigh, and assists in its flexion and supination.

Innervation: obturator nerve: (L_ІІ—L_IV).

The adductor brevis muscle (m. adductor brevis) is a thick, triangular muscle situated deeper than the preceding one. It originates from the external surface of the body and inferior ramus of the pubic bone. Extending downward and laterally, it broadens slightly and inserts into the upper third of the medial lip of the linea aspera of the femur. Function: adducts the thigh, and assists in its flexion and supination.

Innervation: obturator nerve (L_II—L_IV).

The adductor magnus muscle (m. adductor magnus) is a broad, thick, and the largest and strongest muscle of the medial group. It lies deep to the adductor longus and adductor brevis. It originates from the ischial tuberosity, the ramus of the ischium, and the inferior ramus of the pubis. The muscle fascicles fan out downward and laterally, inserting via a broad tendon into the medial lip of the linea aspera along its entire length, reaching down to the medial epicondyle of the femur. The upper fibers run almost transversely from the pubic bone to their insertion and are sometimes described separately as the adductor minimus muscle (m. adductor minimus). The middle fibers descend obliquely toward the linea aspera, attaching to the bone via arched aponeurotic fibers. The lower fibers, running along the medial margin of the muscle, have a nearly vertical orientation and transition into a robust tendon that attaches to the medial epicondyle of the femur. Between the tendinous fibers of the adductor magnus, There is a series of openings for the passage of Blood Vessels. The largest of these openings is termed the adductor hiatus (hiatus tendineus adductorius), through which the femoral artery passes from the adductor canal of the thigh into the popliteal fossa. Function of the adductor magnus: adducts and extends the thigh.

Innervation: obturator nerve (L_II—L_III) — proximal part of the muscle; sciatic nerve (L_IV—L_V) — distal part of the muscle.