Medial Thigh Muscles

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Femur Pelvic Girdle

Obturator externus Originates on the obturator margin and membrane* Inserts on the intertrochanteric fossa* (of the femur).

It laterally rotates the thigh.

Pectineus Originates on the pectineal line* of the pubis

Inserts on the medial proximal femur.
It adducts and flexes the thigh.

Gracilis Originates on the pubic body and inferior ramus* Inserts on the medial proximal tibia*

It adducts and flexes the thigh, and, because it crosses the knee joint, flexes the lower leg.

Adductor magnus

Originates on the ischiopubic ramus and ischial tuberosity*

Adductor magnus has two insertions with different actions:

The "adductor" portion of the muscle inserts on the adductor tubercle* (of the femur) and adducts and flexes the thigh. The "hamstrings" portion of the muscle inserts on the lateral lip of the linea aspera* (of the femur) and adducts, extends, and laterally rotates the thigh.

Adductor brevis Originates on the pubic body and inferior ramus* Inserts on the proximal medial lip of the linea aspera*

It adducts and flexes the thigh.

Adductor longus Originates on the pubic body* Inserts on the linea aspera* inferior to adductor brevis

It adducts and flexes the thigh.

Key points:

Two muscles of the medial compartment laterally rotate the thigh: obturator externus and the hamstrings portion of adductor magnus; this is because of their lateral insertion points on the lateral posterior femur.

All notable medial thigh muscles (except for obturator externus):

Adduct the thigh, which pulls the femur towards midline. Flex the thigh, which pulls the femur towards the anterior torso.

Two unique muscles of the medial thigh:

Gracilis, due to its insertion on the tibia, is the only muscle in the medial compartment to act on the lower leg. The hamstrings portion of adductor magnus, because of its posterior attachment sites, extends the thigh.

Innervation

Medial Thigh Muscles

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