2. The thigh is divided into 2 physical
compartments divided by the
medial and lateral intermuscular septa
-Anterior compartment
-Posterior compartment
3. The Posterior Compartment of the thigh has
two functionally different sets of muscles
•The Adductors
•The Hamstrings
There is no distinct fascial boundary between the two
groups
4. In total the thigh is divided into
3 functional compartments
1. Anterior or Extensor compartment
1. Medial or Adductor compartment
1. Posterior or Flexor compartment
12. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
13. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
14. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
• Adductor Longus
15. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
• Adductor Longus
• Adductor Brevis
16. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
• Adductor Longus
• Adductor Brevis
• Adductor Magnus
17. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
• Adductor Longus
• Adductor Brevis
• Adductor Magnus
• Pectineus
18. There are 5 muscles in the Adductor Compartment
• Gracilis
• Adductor Longus
• Adductor Brevis
• Adductor Magnus
• Pectineus
(Obturator Externus is a curious little muscle
which occupies both the Adductor
Compartment and the Gluteal Region)
20. Gracilis
This is the most medial
muscle of the thigh
Anterior View
It originates from the
Pubis and Ischium of the Hip Bone
21. Gracilis
This is the most medial
muscle of the thigh
Anterior View
It originates from the
Pubis and Ischium of the Hip Bone
It inserts onto the upper part of
the Tibia on the medial aspect
22. Gracilis
This is the most medial
muscle of the thigh
Anterior View
It originates from the
Pubis and Ischium of the Hip Bone
It inserts onto the upper part of
the Tibia on the medial aspect
It adducts the hip and flexes the knee
29. Adductor Magnus
The Adductor Portion
Originates from the ramus of the
•Pubis
•Ischium
Inserts onto the Femur
•Linea Aspera
Anterior View
30. Adductor Magnus
The Adductor Portion
Originates from the ramus of the
•Pubis
•Ischium
Inserts onto the Femur
•Linea Aspera
Anterior View
Adducts and Medially Rotates the Hip
31. Adductor Magnus
The Hamstring Portion
Originates from the Ischial Tuberosity
Inserts onto the Adductor Tubercle of
the Femur
Extends the Hip
Anterior View
32. Adductor Magnus
As there are two functional parts,
these are supplied by two different
nerves
The Adductor Portion by the
Obturator Nerve
The Hamstring Portion by the
Tibial Component of the Sciatic Nerve
Anterior View
37. Pectineus
Originates from the Pubis of the Hip Bone
Inserts onto the Pectineal Line on the Femur
just below the Lesser Trochanter
Anterior View
38. Pectineus
Originates from the pectineal surface of the
Hip Bone
Inserts onto the Pectineal Line on the Femur
just below the Lesser Trochanter
Adducts and Flexes the Hip Joint
Anterior View
(Not seen on the cross-section diagram as it is placed more superiorly)
40. The rest of the Posterior Compartment comprises 3 muscles
that are collectively known as the Hamstrings and these are
covered in another topic (Posterior Thigh – The Hamstrings)
• Semimembranosus
• Semitendinosus
• Biceps Femoris
41. Femur
Septa
Septa
Thigh compartments
medial
lateral
posterior
anterior
Cross section
through right
mid-thigh looking
towards hip joint
Anterior / Extensor
compartment
Anterior Compartment
Adductor Magnus
Adductor Magnus
Adductor Brevis
Adductor Brevis
Adductor
Adductor
Longus
Longus
Gracilis
Gracilis
Biceps
Biceps
Femoris
Femoris
Short Head
Short Head
Biceps
Biceps
Femoris
Femoris
Long Head
Long Head Semitendinosus
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus
Semimembranosus
42. Obturator Externus
Anterior View
Obturator Externus lies behind
Adductor Brevis and is deeply placed
It is not an adductor muscle, but a weak
External Rotator of the Hip Joint
43. Obturator Externus
Anterior View
Originates from the outer surface of
Obturator Membrane and the adjacent
bony rim
Inserts onto the medial surface of the
Greater Trochanter of the Femur
48. Pectineus
Origin Pectineal surface of the pubis
Insertion Pectineal line of femur below lesser
trochanter
Action Adducts the thigh, flexes hip joint
Nerve Supply Femoral nerve,some innervation
from the obturator nerve (L2, L3,
L4)
Blood Supply Medial circumflex femoral branch
of femoral artery and obturator
artery
49. Gracilis
Origin Inferior ramus of pubis, and
adjacent ramus of ischium
Insertion Medial surface upper tibial shaft,
posterior to sartorius
Action Adducts hip, flexes the knee,
medially rotates tibia on femur
Nerve Supply Anterior division obturator nerve
(L2, L3)
Blood Supply Obturator artery, medial circumflex
femoral artery, profunda femoris
artery
50. Adductor Brevis
Origin Inferior ramus and body of pubis
Insertion Upper third linea aspera of femur
Action Adducts and flexes hip joint
Nerve Supply Anterior division obturator nerve
(L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Medial circumflex femoral branch
of femoral artery and obturator
artery
51. Adductor Longus
Origin Anterior surface of body of pubis,
just lateral to pubic symphysis
Insertion Middle third of linea aspera,
between the more lateral adductor
magnus and brevis insertions and
the more medial origin of the
vastus medialis
Action Adducts, flexes and medially
rotates the hip joint
Nerve Supply Anterior division of obturator nerve
(L2, L3, L4)
Blood Supply Obturator artery and medial
circumflex femoral artery
52. Adductor Magnus
Origin Adductor portion: Inferior pubic
ramus, ischial ramus
Hamstring portion: ischial tuberosity
Insertion Adductor portion: Linea aspera and
medial supracondylar ridge
Hamstring portion: adductor tubercle
Action Adductor portion:adducts and
medially rotates hip
Hamstring portion: extends hip
Nerve Supply Adductor portion: Posterior division
of obturator nerve (L2-4)
Hamstring portion: tibial nerve
portion of sciatic nerve (L4-S3)
Blood Supply Medial circumflex femoral artery,
inferior gluteal artery, 1st - 4th
perforating arteries, obturator artery,
popliteal artery
53. Obturator Externus
Origin External surface of obturator
membrane and anterior bony
margins of obturator foramen
Insertion Medial surface of greater
trochanter of femur
Action Laterally rotates hip; adducts thigh
Nerve Supply Posterior division of obturator
nerve L2, 3, 4
Blood Supply Obturator and medial circumflex
femoral arteries
