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Adductor longus

Contents

Anatomy

 

Adductor longus - anterior
Adductor longus - anterior view
Adductor longus - posterior view

General information

  • This section is strictly limited to anatomy, you might be looking for clinical relevant information which is found under the clinical chapters -- muscles section, click here to go to that page
  • A part of the thighs medial muscle group

Position

  • Mostly superficial

Origin

  • Anterior surface of pubis
    • Space in between symphysis pubis and crista pubis

Insertion

  • Medial 1/3 of linea aspera of femur

Main function

  • Hip
    • Adduction
    • Flexion
  • Pelvis
    • Anterior tilt

Secondary function

  • Pelvis
    • Elevation

Nerve innervation

  • Segmental
    • L2-L4
  • Peripheral
    • Nervus obturatorius

Arterial supply

  • Deep part of the femoral artery
  • Obturator artery

Palpation

  • Patient position: Supine
  • The tendon of adductor longus is the most prominent of the adductors of the groin
  • Place one hand on the proximal and anteromedial aspect of the thigh
  • Ask the patient to adduct the hip while you feel for tension in the adductor longus tendon, feel for the most prominent tendon in the groin
  • You can follow the muscle further down along the inside of the thigh until it disappears under the sartorius muscle

Strength test

  • Patient position: Side-lying with the side tested the lower part
  • Ask the patient to lie straight with the body so that the side being tested is the lowest point
  • Grab the upper leg and ask the patient to hold it in an abducted position throughout the testing
  • Ask the patient to lift the lower leg up and away from the bench so that the lower hip is adducted
  • Hold the patient's leg at the medial aspect of femur just proximal to the knee joint, so that you are giving resistance towards abduction
    • The patient is giving force towards adduction
  • NB! Make sure the pelvis is not rotating forward or that it is tipping anteriorly
    • Forward rotation will lead to more tension towards the lower fibers of the gluteus maximus
    • Anterior tilt will lead to compesational force of the hip flexors