Adductor canal
Encyclopedia
The adductor canal is an aponeurotic tunnel in the middle third of the thigh
, extending from the apex of the femoral triangle
to the opening in the Adductor magnus, the Adductor hiatus
.
and the medial compartment of thigh
, and has the following boundaries:
It is covered in by a strong aponeurosis which extends from the Vastus medialis
, across the femoral vessels to the Adductor longus and magnus.
, femoral vein
, and branches of the femoral nerve
(specifically, the saphenous nerve
, and the nerve to the Vastus medialis). It consists of three foramina: superior, anterior and inferior. Femoral artery with its vein and saphenous nerve go into this canal through superior foramen
. Then, saphenous nerve and artery and vein of genus desendens exit through anterior foramen piercing through vastoadductor intermuscular septum. Finally, femoral artery and vein exit via the inferior foramen (usually called hiatus
) through gap between m. adductor magnus.
Thigh
In humans the thigh is the area between the pelvis and the knee. Anatomically, it is part of the lower limb.The single bone in the thigh is called the femur...
, extending from the apex of the femoral triangle
Femoral triangle
The femoral triangle is an anatomical region of the upper inner human thigh.-Boundaries:It is bounded by:* the inguinal ligament* the medial border of the adductor longus muscle...
to the opening in the Adductor magnus, the Adductor hiatus
Adductor hiatus
The adductor hiatus is a gap between the adductor magnus muscle and the femur that allows the passage of the femoral vessels from the anterior thigh to the posterior thigh and then the popliteal fossa. It is the termination of the adductor canal and lies about 2 inches superior to the...
.
Boundary
It courses between the anterior compartment of thighAnterior compartment of thigh
The anterior fascial compartment of thigh contains the knee extensors and hip flexors.It contains the following five muscles:* sartorius...
and the medial compartment of thigh
Medial compartment of thigh
The medial fascial compartment of thigh contains the hip adductors.The obturator nerve is the primary nerve supplying this compartment.The muscles in the compartment are:* gracilis* adductors** adductor longus** adductor brevis** adductor magnus...
, and has the following boundaries:
- anteriorly and laterally - the Vastus medialisVastus medialisThe vastus medialis , often called the 'teardrop' muscle, is a medially located muscle of the quadriceps.-Function:The vasti appear to act largely in a co-ordinated manner throughout the control of knee extension...
. - posteriorly - the Adductor longus and the Adductor magnus.
- roof and medially- the sartoriusSartorius muscleThe Sartorius muscle – the longest muscle in the human body – is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.-Origin and insertion:...
.
It is covered in by a strong aponeurosis which extends from the Vastus medialis
Vastus medialis
The vastus medialis , often called the 'teardrop' muscle, is a medially located muscle of the quadriceps.-Function:The vasti appear to act largely in a co-ordinated manner throughout the control of knee extension...
, across the femoral vessels to the Adductor longus and magnus.
- Lying on the aponeurosis is the Sartorius (Tailor's) muscleSartorius muscleThe Sartorius muscle – the longest muscle in the human body – is a long thin muscle that runs down the length of the thigh. Its upper portion forms the lateral border of the femoral triangle.-Origin and insertion:...
.
Contents
The canal contains the femoral arteryFemoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
, femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
, and branches of the femoral nerve
Femoral nerve
The femoral nerve, the largest branch of the lumbar plexus, arises from the dorsal divisions of the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves...
(specifically, the saphenous nerve
Saphenous nerve
The saphenous nerve is the largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve.-Path:It approaches the femoral artery where this vessel passes beneath the sartorius, and lies in front of the artery, behind the aponeurotic covering of the adductor canal, as far as the opening in the lower part of the...
, and the nerve to the Vastus medialis). It consists of three foramina: superior, anterior and inferior. Femoral artery with its vein and saphenous nerve go into this canal through superior foramen
Foramen
In anatomy, a foramen is any opening. Foramina inside the body of humans and other animals typically allow muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, or other structures to connect one part of the body with another.-Skull:...
. Then, saphenous nerve and artery and vein of genus desendens exit through anterior foramen piercing through vastoadductor intermuscular septum. Finally, femoral artery and vein exit via the inferior foramen (usually called hiatus
Adductor hiatus
The adductor hiatus is a gap between the adductor magnus muscle and the femur that allows the passage of the femoral vessels from the anterior thigh to the posterior thigh and then the popliteal fossa. It is the termination of the adductor canal and lies about 2 inches superior to the...
) through gap between m. adductor magnus.