Adductor minimus muscle
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, the adductor minimus (adductor femoris minimus or adductor quartus) is a small and flat skeletal muscle
in the thigh
which constitutes the upper, lateral part of the adductor magnus muscle
.
The adductor minimus and the adductor magnus are frequently separated by a branch of the superior perforating branch
of the profunda femoris artery
and the former muscle is considered independent from the latter because it is primarily a separate entity.
at the inferior ramus of the pubis
as the anterior-most part of the adductor magnus.
It is inserted on the back of the femur
at the medial lip of the linea aspera
and thus crosses the proximal part of the true adductor magnus.
supplies the part attached to the linea aspera while the tibial nerve
supplies the part inserted onto adductor tubercle.
muscle is found between the adductor brevis and minimus. When present, this muscle originates from the upper part of the inferior ramus of the pubis
from where it runs downwards and laterally. In half of cases, it inserts into the anterior surface of the insertion aponeurosis
of the adductor minimus. In the remaining cases, it is either inserted into the upper part of the pectineal line
or the posterior part of the lesser trochanter
. While similar to its neighbouring adductors, it is formed by separation from the superficial layer of the obturator externus
, and is thus not ontogentically
related to the adductors.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the adductor minimus (adductor femoris minimus or adductor quartus) is a small and flat skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle is a form of striated muscle tissue existing under control of the somatic nervous system- i.e. it is voluntarily controlled. It is one of three major muscle types, the others being cardiac and smooth muscle...
in the thigh
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...
which constitutes the upper, lateral part of the adductor magnus muscle
Adductor magnus muscle
The adductor magnus is a large triangular muscle, situated on the medial side of the thigh.It consists of two parts. The portion which arises from the ischiopubic ramus is called the "adductor portion", and the portion arising from the tuberosity of the ischium is called the "hamstring portion"...
.
The adductor minimus and the adductor magnus are frequently separated by a branch of the superior perforating branch
Perforating arteries
The perforating arteries, usually three in number, are so named because they perforate the tendon of the Adductor magnus to reach the back of the thigh....
of the profunda femoris artery
Profunda femoris artery
The profunda femoris artery is a branch of the femoral artery that, as its name suggests, travels more deeply than the rest of the femoral artery.-Structure:...
and the former muscle is considered independent from the latter because it is primarily a separate entity.
Origin and insertion
The adductor minimus originates on the pelvisPelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
at the inferior ramus of the pubis
Inferior pubic ramus
The inferior pubic ramus is a part of the pelvis and is thin and flat. It passes laterally and downward from the medial end of the superior ramus; it becomes narrower as it descends and joins with the inferior ramus of the ischium below the obturator foramen....
as the anterior-most part of the adductor magnus.
It is inserted on the back of the femur
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
at the medial lip of the linea aspera
Linea aspera
The linea aspera is a ridge of roughened surface on the posterior aspect of the femur, to which are attached muscles and intermuscular septum.Its margins diverge above and below....
and thus crosses the proximal part of the true adductor magnus.
Innervation
It shares innervation with the adductor magnus; the obturator nerveObturator nerve
The obturator nerve in human anatomy arises from the ventral divisions of the second, third, and fourth lumbar nerves; the branch from the third is the largest, while that from the second is often very small.-Path:...
supplies the part attached to the linea aspera while the tibial nerve
Tibial nerve
The tibial nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve. The tibial nerve passes through the popliteal fossa to pass below the arch of soleus.In the popliteal fossa the nerve gives off branches to gastrocnemius, popliteus, soleus and plantaris muscles, an articular branch to the knee joint, and a...
supplies the part inserted onto adductor tubercle.
Variation
In 33% of people a supernumerarySupernumerary body part
Supernumerary body parts are most commonly a congenital disorder involving the growth of an additional part of the body and a deviation from the body plan. Body parts may be easily visible or hidden away, such as internal organs....
muscle is found between the adductor brevis and minimus. When present, this muscle originates from the upper part of the inferior ramus of the pubis
Inferior pubic ramus
The inferior pubic ramus is a part of the pelvis and is thin and flat. It passes laterally and downward from the medial end of the superior ramus; it becomes narrower as it descends and joins with the inferior ramus of the ischium below the obturator foramen....
from where it runs downwards and laterally. In half of cases, it inserts into the anterior surface of the insertion aponeurosis
Aponeurosis
Aponeuroses are layers of flat broad tendons. They have a shiny, whitish-silvery color, are histologically similar to tendons, and are very sparingly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. When dissected, aponeuroses are papery, and peel off by sections...
of the adductor minimus. In the remaining cases, it is either inserted into the upper part of the pectineal line
Pectineal line
On the posterior surface of the femur, the intermediate ridge or pectineal line is continued to the base of the lesser trochanter and gives attachment to the pectineus muscle....
or the posterior part of the lesser trochanter
Lesser trochanter
The lesser trochanter of the femur is a conical eminence, which varies in size in different subjects-Anatomy:It projects from the lower and back part of the base of the femur neck.From its apex three well-marked borders extend:...
. While similar to its neighbouring adductors, it is formed by separation from the superficial layer of the obturator externus
Obturator externus muscle
The obturator externus muscle is a flat, triangular muscle, which covers the outer surface of the anterior wall of the pelvis.It is sometimes considered part of the medial compartment of thigh, and sometimes considered part of the gluteal region....
, and is thus not ontogentically
Ontogeny
Ontogeny is the origin and the development of an organism – for example: from the fertilized egg to mature form. It covers in essence, the study of an organism's lifespan...
related to the adductors.