Adductor Longus Muscle

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The adductor longus muscle is one of the thigh adductors and located on the medial aspect of the femur.

image descriptionAdductor Longus Muscle (Musculus adductor longus)

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Gracilis and Adductor Longus (highlighted in green).
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Pectineus, Vastus Intermedius, Gracilis and Adductor Longus (highlighted in green).
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Gracilis and Adductor Longus (highlighted in green).
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only visible labelled muscle is Adductor Longus.
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Attachments of Adductor Longus: Origin and Insertion

image descriptionOrigin (proximal attachment):
a. Superior aspect of pubis, below pubic tubercle.

image descriptionInsertion (distal attachment):
a. Middle third of linea aspera of femur along medial lip.

The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The visible labelled muscles include Psoas Major, Iliacus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Pectineus, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Sartorius, Gracilis and Adductor Longus (highlighted in green).
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The only visible labelled muscle is Adductor Longus.
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the origin of Adductor Longus muscle at the superior aspect of pubis, below pubic tubercle.
The anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the insertion of Adductor Longus muscle at the middle third of linea aspera of femur along medial lip.
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Actions of Adductor Longus on the thigh (femur) :

a. image descriptionAdducts the thigh at hip.

Did you know that its easier to understand adductor longus anatomy using 3D tools? Discover the benefits with these 3D anatomy videos. 

b.  image descriptionFlexes the thigh at hip. (References suggest it may also laterally or medially rotate the thigh).

Nerve to muscle and its spinal segment:

Obturator nerve (L3-L4).

An Overview of the Anterior Muscles of the Thigh

A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9 and the answers are concealed.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Psoas Major 2. Iliacus 3. Tensor Fasciae Latae 4. Pectineus 5. Adductor Longus 6. Rectus Femoris 7. Vastus Lateralis 8. Sartorius 9. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Iliacus 2. Tensor Fasciae Latae 3. Pectineus 4. Adductor Longus 5. Rectus Femoris 6. Vastus Lateralis 7. Sartorius 8. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Rectus Femoris 5. Vastus Lateralis 6. Sartorius 7. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Rectus Femoris 5. Vastus Lateralis 6. Vastus Medialis 7. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Tensor Fasciae Latae 2. Pectineus 3. Adductor Longus 4. Vastus Lateralis 5. Vastus Medialis 6. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Lateralis 4. Vastus Medialis 5. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Intermedius 4. Vastus Medialis 5. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Vastus Intermedius 4. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Pectineus 2. Adductor Longus 3. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Adductor Brevis 2. Adductor Longus 3. Adductor Magnus 4. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Adductor Longus 2. Adductor Magnus 3. Gracilis.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Adductor Longus 2. Adductor Magnus.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column. The muscles of the anterior thigh are numbered 1 to 9. The answers revealed at the bottom are as follows 1. Adductor Longus.
A quiz image of the anterior view of the thigh, pelvis and lower section of the vertebral column showing the origin of the Adductor Longus muscle at the superior aspect of pubis, below pubic tubercle. The posterior view of the thigh and pelvis shows the insertion of the Adductor Longus muscle at the middle third of linea aspera of femur along medial lip.
Test yourself while observing the Adductor Longus muscle
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