Anatomy of the Adductor Longus Muscle

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

ADDUCTOR LONGUS

• One of the six adductor muscles located within the thigh, the others being pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis and obturator externus

Origin

• Arises from the anterior surface of the superior pubic ramus, lateral to the pubic symphysis

Insertion

• Middle third of medial lip of the linea aspera on the posterior surface of shaft of femur

Nerve supply

• Anterior division of obturator nerve(L2, L3, L4 ventral rami of lumbar plexus)

Actions
1.Adduction and flexion of thigh
2.Lateral rotation of hip joint

Adductor strain

• Also called pulled groin
• Occurs due to the eccenteric contraction of muscles, mainly adductor longus.
• Occurs in soccer players/ hockey players, when an abducted leg is externally rotated
• Patient will have groin pain and pain at the site of injury, usually near the pubic rami. They will also have weak adduction.
• It might be difficult to differentiate from sport hernia
• Xrays are usually normal
• MRI can show avulsion of the adductor muscles from pubic rami
• Treatment
  -Ice packs
  -Rest
  -Protected weight bearing
  -Rehabilitation
• Surgery is rarely done