Medial Thigh Muscles

Question 1

What are the muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh collectively known as?

Answer 1

The hip adductors

Question 2

What muscles are in the medial compartment of the thigh?

Answer 2

Gracilis
 Obturator externus
 Adductor brevis
 Adductor longus
 Adductor magnus

Question 3

What are all medial thigh muscles innervated by?

Answer 3

The obturator nerve

Question 4

What does the obturator nerve arise from?

Answer 4

The lumbar plexus

Question 5

What is the arterial supply for the medial thigh muscles?

Answer 5

Obturator artery

Question 6

What is the largest muscle in the medial compartment?

Answer 6

The adductor magnus

Question 7

Where does the adductor magus lie?

Answer 7

Posteriorly to the other muscles

Question 8

What can the adductor magnus be functionally divided?

Answer 8

Into the adductor part and the hamstring part

Question 9

What is the proximal attachment of the adductor part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 9

Inferior ramus of pubis

Ramus of ischium

Question 10

What is the proximal attachment of the hamstrings part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 10

Ischial tuberosity

Question 11

What is the distal attachment of the adductor part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 11

Gluteal tuberosity
Linea aspera
Medial supracondylar line

Question 12

What is the distal attachment of the hamstrings part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 12

Adductor tubercle of the femur

Question 13

What is the innervation of the adductor part of the adductor magus?

Answer 13

Branches of the posterior division of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Question 14

What is the hamstring part of the adductor magnus innervated by?

Answer 14

The tibial part of the sciatic nerve

Question 15

What is the main action of the adductor magnus as a whole?

Answer 15

Adducts thigh

Question 16

What is the main action of the adductor magnus?

Answer 16

Flexes thigh

Question 17

What is the main action of the hamstring part of the adductor magnus?

Answer 17

Extends thigh

Question 18

What shape is the adductor longus?

Answer 18

Large, flat

Question 19

What does the adductor longus cover?

Answer 19

Partially, the adductor brevis and magnus

Question 20

What does the adductor longus form?

Answer 20

The medial border of the femoral triange

Question 21

What is the proximal attachment of the adductor longus?

Answer 21

Body of pubis inferior to pubic crest

Question 22

What is the distal attachment of the adductor longus?

Answer 22

Middle third of linea aspera of femur

Question 23

What is the innervation of the adductor longus?

Answer 23

Branches of anterior division of obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Question 24

What is the main action of the adductor longus?

Answer 24

Adducts thigh

Question 25

Where does the adductor brevis lie?

Answer 25

Underneath the adductor longus  | Between the anterior and posterior divisions of the obturator nerve

Question 26

What can the adductor brevis be used as clinically?

Answer 26

A landmark to identify the divisons of the obturator nerve

Question 27

What is the proximal attachment of the adductor brevis?

Answer 27

Body and inferior ramus of pubis

Question 28

What is the distal attachment of the adductor brevis?

Answer 28

Pectineal line and proximal part of linea aspera of femur

Question 29

What is the innervation of the adductor brevis?

Answer 29

Branches of the anterior division of the obturator nerve (L2, L3, L4)

Question 30

What is the main action of the adductor brevis?

Answer 30

Adducts thigh | To some extent, flexes thigh

Question 31

Where is the obturator externus located?

Answer 31

Most superiorly

Question 32

What is the proximal attachment of the obturator externus?

Answer 32

Margins of the obturator foramen and obturator membrane

Question 33

What is the distal attachment of the obturator externus?

Answer 33

Trochanteric fossa of femur

Question 34

What is the innervation of the obturator externus?

Answer 34

Obturator nerve (L3, L4)

Question 35

What is the main action of the obturator externus?

Answer 35

Laterally rotates the thigh | Steadies the head of the femur in the acetabulum

Question 36

Where does the gracilis lie?

Answer 36

Most superficial and medial of the muscles in the compartment

Question 37

Where does the gracilis cross?

Answer 37

Both the hip and the knee joints

Question 38

Where can the gracilis sometimes be transplanted?

Answer 38

Into the hand or forearm to replace a damaged muscle

Question 39

Where is the proximal attachment of the gracilis?

Answer 39

Body and inferior ramus of pubis

Question 40

What is the distal attachment of the gracilis

Answer 40

Trochanteric fossa of femur

Question 41

What is the innervation of the gracilis?

Answer 41

Obturator nerve (L2, L3)

Question 42

What is the main function of the gracilis?

Answer 42

Adducts thigh  Flexes leg  Helps rotate the leg medially

Question 43

What is strain the adductor muscles the underlying cause of?

Answer 43

What is colloquially known as ‘groin strain’

Question 44

What usually happens in ‘groin stain’?

Answer 44

The proximal part of the muscles are not affected, tearing near their bony attachments in the pelvis

Question 45

How should muscle strains be treated?

Answer 45

Rest, ice, compression and elevation