Medial Thigh

Question 1

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Adductor Longus

Answer 1

Origin:
Body of pubis, inferior to pubic crest

Insertion:
Middle 1/3 of linea aspera of femur

Innervation:
Obturator Nerve (L2,3,4)

Action:
Adducts the thigh

Test:
In supine position, ask patient to keep knee extended and to adduct their leg against examiner resistance (from an abducted position). If normal, gracilis + adductor Longus can be seen and palpated at their ends.

Question 2

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Adductor Brevis

Answer 2

Origin:
Body of pubis + Inferior ramus of pubis

Insertion:
Pectineal line + proximal part of linea aspera of femur

Innervation:
Obturator Nerve (L2,3,4)

Action:
Adducts the thigh
To some extent flexes the thigh

Test:
Ask patient to lie in supine position with knee extended. Ask them to adduct their leg against examiner resistance (from abducted position). If normal, gracilis + adductor Longus ends can be palpated and seen.

Question 3

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Adductor Magnus

Answer 3

Origin:
Adductor part - Inferior ramus of pubis + ramus of ischium
Hamstring part - Ischial tuberosity

Insertion:
Adductor part - Gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, and medial supracondylar line
Hamstring part - Adductor tubercle of femur

Innervation:
Adductor part - Obturator Nerve (L2,3,4)
Hamstring part - Tibial part of Sciatic Nerve (L4,5,S1,2,3)

Action:
Adductor part - Adducts + flexes the thigh
Hamstring part - Adducts + extends the thigh

Test:
Ask patient to lie in supine position with knee extended. Get them to adductor their leg against examiner resistance (from abducted position). If normal, ends of gracilis and adductor Longus can be palpated.

Question 4

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Gracilis

Answer 4

Origin:
Inferior ramus of pubis + body of pubis

Insertion:
Pes Anserinus (superior, medial tibia)

Innervation:
Obturator Nerve (L2,3,4)

Action:

• Adducts thigh
• Flexes thigh
• Helps medially rotate leg

Test:
Ask patient to lie in supine position with knee extended. Get them adduct their leg against examiner resistance (from abducted position). If normal, gracilis and adductor Longus ends will be palpable and visible.

Question 5

Give the origin, insertion, innervation, action, and test for:

Obturator Externus

Answer 5

Origin:
Margins of Obturator foramen + Obturator membrane

Insertion:
Trochanteric fossa of the femur

Innervation:
Obturator Nerve (L2,3,4)

Action:

• Laterally rotates thigh
• Steadies head of femur in acetabulum

Question 6

Name the muscles in the medial thigh

Answer 6

Adductor Longus
Adductor Brevis
Adductor Magnus
Gracilis
Obturator Externus

Remember: Triple A, GOe!