Adductor longus

The adductor longus (Latin: musculus adductor longus) is a large triangular-shaped muscle of the thigh that extends between the pubis of the hip bone and femur. It is located in the medial compartment of the thigh and belongs to the muscle group called the hip adductors. As the name suggests, the primary function of the adductor longus is the adduction of the thigh.

Origin

The adductor longus muscle originates from the body of the pubis inferior to the pubic crest and tubercle.

Insertion

The adductor longus inserts on the shaft of the femur. To be more precise, it ends on the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera.

Action

The adductor longus muscle provides thigh flexion, thigh adduction and external (lateral) rotation of the thigh at the hip joint. Also, it stabilizes the pelvis.

Innervation

The adductor longus is innervated by the obturator nerve (L2 - L4) that arises from the lumbar plexus.

Blood supply

The adductor longus muscle receives arterial blood supply from the deep femoral, medial circumflex femoral and obturator arteries. The first artery is a branch of the femoral artery, while the medial circumflex femoral artery branches off the deep femoral artery. Finally, the obturator artery arises from the internal iliac artery.