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Long and short adductor muscles
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The long adductor muscle (m.adductor longus) has a triangular shape, is located medially and inferiorly to the pectineus muscle, covers the short adductor muscle and the upper bundles of the large adductor muscle in front. It begins with a thick tendon on the outer surface of the pubic bone (between the crest and the pubic symphysis). It goes downward and laterally, passes into a thin wide tendon, which is attached to the medial lip of the rough line of the thigh between the attachment sites of the large adductor muscle and the medial vastus muscle of the thigh.
Function: adducts the thigh, simultaneously flexing and rotating it externally.
Innervation: obturator nerve (LII-LIII).
Blood supply: obturator and external pudendal arteries, deep femoral artery.
The short adductor muscle (m.adductor brevis) is thick and triangular in shape. It originates on the outer surface of the body and the lower branch of the pubic bone. It is located behind the pectineus muscle and the long adductor muscle. Directed downwards and laterally, the muscle expands and is attached by short tendinous bundles to the upper part of the rough line.
Function: adducts the hip, participates in hip flexion.
Innervation: obturator nerve (LII-LIII).
Blood supply: obturator and perforating arteries.
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