Adductor Longus

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

Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles¹

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions²

Cross-section of middle thigh²

Deep muscles of the medial thigh²

Reading list

• Ch59 Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, and Gracilis Muscles³
• Neuman⁴
• MMT⁵

Muscle	Origin	Insertion	Innervation	Action
Adductor Longus	Superior pubis ramus Anterior side of Pubic Symphysis	Linea aspera	Obturator n. L2 - L4	Hip: Adduction, Flexion, Extension Pelvis: Frontal plane stabilization, Sagittal plane stabilization

Origin

• Superior pubic ramus⁶
• Anterior side of the pubic symphysis⁶

Insertion

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

Innervation

Obturator N. (L2, L3, L4)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 longus flexes up to 50°, but then generates a hip extension force past 70°⁷.

Myofascial Unit

Although the adductor longus and biceps femoris short head both attach at the linea aspera and fascially run in the same direction, these do not form a line since the adductor magnus acts as an intervening plane⁸. There may be a functional connection through the bone, but there is no connection via the fascia⁸.

Palpation

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

References

1.

Betts JG, Blaker W. Openstax Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details

2.

Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/

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.

8.

Myers TW. Anatomy Trains. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2021.