Adductors of the thigh refer to a group of muscles located in the inner part of the thigh that are primarily responsible for adduction of the leg and hip joint. This group is composed of five major muscles, namely the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus muscles.
The adductor longus is a long, triangular-shaped muscle that runs from the pelvis to the femur, functioning to adduct and medially rotate the thigh. The adductor brevis, a smaller muscle, is situated deep to the adductor longus and also contributes to thigh adduction.
The largest muscle in the adductor group is the adductor magnus, which has both adducting and extending actions on the hip joint. It runs from the pelvis to the femur and is involved in movements such as jumping and standing up from a sitting position.
The gracilis muscle is thin and long, extending from the pubic bone to the tibia. It acts as a synergist to the adductor muscles and also aids in flexion and rotation of the knee joint. Lastly, the pectineus is a short and thick muscle that assists in adduction and flexion of the thigh.
These adductor muscles work together to stabilize the pelvis during activities such as walking, running, and squatting. They also contribute to maintaining balance and stability within the lower body. Injuries to the adductors can occur during activities that involve sudden changes in direction or forceful movements, leading to strains or tears in the muscles.
