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MuscleThighsuperficialBeyond Cert IVDraft

Adductor longusMusculus adductor longus

Flat, fan-shaped inner-thigh muscle from the front of the pubic bone to the middle of the femur that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.

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LatinMusculus adductor longus
Origin
  • Body of the pubis, just below the pubic crest and beside the pubic symphysis
Insertion
  • Middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera
Action
  • Adducts the hip
  • Helps flex the hip
  • Helps laterally rotate the hip
NerveObturator nerve (anterior branch; sometimes the posterior branch) (L2–L4)
GroupAdductors
NameLatin adductor, 'one that brings towards', and longus, 'long'.

Palpation

  1. Client supine with the hip slightly bent and turned out and the knee supported on a bolster; drape securely and get consent first.
  2. Place your palm flat on the inner thigh at mid-thigh, then move slowly upwards only as far as the drape and the client's comfort allow.
  3. Feel the most prominent, cord-like tendon running up and inwards on the front of the inner thigh; below it the muscle widens into a fan.
  4. Ask the client to squeeze the knee inwards against light resistance; the belly and tendon firm up.

Adductor longus is the most obvious of the Adductors. When the thigh is turned out and squeezed inwards, its tendon near the pubic bone is the ridge you can see at the top of the inner thigh. It forms the inner border of the femoral triangle, a hollow at the top of the front thigh with Sartorius on the outer side. The femoral artery, vein and nerve pass through this triangle, so keep pressure light and broad here.

It sits in front of Adductor brevis and Adductor magnus, with Pectineus on its outer side and Gracilis on its inner side. Adductor longus is commonly involved in groin strains in kicking sports.

Draping and client comfort. This is a sensitive area close to the groin. Explain what you plan to do and get clear verbal consent before starting, and check in during the work. Keep the drape tucked securely so the groin stays covered, and never work under the drape. At relaxation level, stay at mid-thigh and below; work close to the pubic attachment is outside Cert IV scope. Stop if the client is uncomfortable. See Draping and room set-up.

Techniques

  • Effleurage — Long, gliding strokes with the whole palm that spread the medium, warm the tissue and link the other strokes together.
  • Petrissage — Kneading strokes that compress, lift and squeeze the muscle away from the bone, working the tissue between the hands.
  • Compression — Pressing straight down into a muscle with the palm, fist or forearm, holding briefly, then releasing and moving on.
  • Muscle energy technique — The client gently contracts a muscle against the therapist's equal counterforce for a few seconds, relaxes, and the therapist then eases the body part to a new comfortable limit.

Works with

  • Adductor brevis — Short, triangular inner-thigh muscle lying under pectineus and adductor longus that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Adductor magnus — Large, triangular inner-thigh muscle with an adductor part and a hamstring part, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps extend the hip.
  • Pectineus — Short, flat muscle at the top of the inner thigh, running from the pubic bone to just below the lesser trochanter, that flexes and adducts the hip.
  • Gracilis — Long, thin strap muscle running down the inner edge of the thigh from the pubic bone to the upper inner tibia, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps bend the knee.

Opposes

  • Gluteus medius — Thick, fan-shaped muscle on the outer side of the pelvis that abducts the hip and keeps the pelvis level when you stand on one leg.
  • Gluteus minimus — The smallest and deepest of the three gluteal muscles, lying under gluteus medius, that abducts and medially rotates the hip.
  • Tensor fasciae latae — Small muscle at the front of the outer hip, just below the ASIS, that tightens the iliotibial band and helps flex, abduct and medially rotate the hip.

Same group

  • Adductor brevis — Short, triangular inner-thigh muscle lying under pectineus and adductor longus that pulls the thigh inwards and helps flex the hip.
  • Adductor magnus — Large, triangular inner-thigh muscle with an adductor part and a hamstring part, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps extend the hip.
  • Gracilis — Long, thin strap muscle running down the inner edge of the thigh from the pubic bone to the upper inner tibia, which pulls the thigh inwards and helps bend the knee.
  • Pectineus — Short, flat muscle at the top of the inner thigh, running from the pubic bone to just below the lesser trochanter, that flexes and adducts the hip.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Adductor longus muscle
  2. Wikipedia: Adductor muscles of the hip
  3. Wikipedia: Obturator nerve