Adductor Brevis

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Deep muscles of the medial thigh1

Deep muscles of the medial thigh1
Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles2
Reading list
  • Ch59 Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, and Gracilis Muscles3
  • Neuman4
  • MMT5

Origin

  • Inferior pubic ramus6

Insertion

Femur (linea aspera, medial lip in the middle third of the femur)6

Innervation

Obturator N. (L2, L3)6

Action

  • Hip joint: adduction and flexion (up to 70°); extension (past 80° of flexion)
  • Pelvic Stabilization: Coronal and Sagittal planes
Note

According to Brad Jones, the adductor brevis is a hip flexor until 50° Hip flexion, at which point it acts as a hip extensor7.

Overview

Palpation

See how to palpate this muscle along with other adductor muscles here.

References

1.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
2.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Openstax Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
3.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.
5.
Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.
6.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
7.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.

Citation

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