The adductor magnus is the largest and most posterior of the adductor muscles of the thigh. It arises from the ischiopubic ramus and ischial tuberosity and inserts along the linea aspera and the adductor tubercle of the femur. It has a dual nerve supply: the obturator nerve to the adductor part and the tibial nerve to the hamstring part. It adducts the thigh and its hamstring part extends the hip.
| Origin | Inferior pubic ramus, ischial ramus and ischial tuberosity. |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera and medial supracondylar line (adductor part); adductor tubercle of the femur (hamstring part). |
| Innervation | Adductor part: obturator nerve. Hamstring part: tibial division of the sciatic nerve (L2-L4). |
| Blood supply | Obturator artery, medial circumflex femoral artery and perforating branches of the profunda femoris. |
| Action | Adducts the thigh; the hamstring part extends the hip. |
3D model: BodyParts3D (CC BY 4.0), adult male reference anatomy. Highlighted structure shown with nearby bones for context.
The adductor hiatus, an opening between its two parts near the adductor tubercle, lets the femoral vessels pass to the popliteal fossa.
It is composed of an adductor part (obturator nerve) and a hamstring part (tibial division of the sciatic nerve).
A gap in the muscle's insertion through which the femoral artery and vein pass into the popliteal fossa.
Test yourself
Lower limb muscle quiz
Practise origins, insertions, nerve supply and locations with instant feedback.
Explore in context
Open the adductor magnus in the full 3D atlas
Toggle body systems, explode the model and inspect every neighbouring structure.