Section 01 of 20
Introduction
Adductor longus is a fan-shaped muscle of the medial thigh. It arises from the pubis by a strong, rounded tendon and widens as it passes down and laterally to the femur.
It is the most superficial and anterior of the adductor group and forms part of the medial border of the femoral triangle. Its proximal tendon is the most prominent one felt at the groin during resisted adduction.
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Origin
| Origin | Anterior surface of the body of the pubis, in the angle between the pubic crest and the pubic symphysis. |
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Section 03 of 20
Insertion
| Insertion | Middle third of the linea aspera of the femur (medial lip), through a thin aponeurosis. |
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Section 04 of 20
Actions
No dedicated action video is currently available. This movement is explained below and video will be added when verified source media becomes available.
| Primary action | Adduction of the thigh at the hip. |
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| Secondary actions | Assists hip flexion (especially from an extended position) and contributes to pelvic stability. |
| Movement at the joint | Hip joint (adduction, weak flexion). |
| Heads / fiber groups | Single muscle belly with a prominent proximal tendon. |
| Functional examples | Bringing the legs together; kicking and side-to-side cutting in sport; stabilizing the pelvis in single-leg stance. |
Hip adduction
Draws the thigh toward the midline, especially when the hip is flexed.
Hip flexion
Assists flexion, mainly from the extended position.
Pelvic stability
Contributes to control of the pelvis and thigh during walking, running, kicking, and changing direction.
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Nerve Innervation
| Nerve | Anterior division of the obturator nerve, L2–L4. |
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The obturator nerve also gives sensation to a variable patch of the medial thigh. Medial thigh numbness or weakness of adduction points beyond a muscle problem and needs assessment.
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Blood Supply
| Blood | Perforating branches and muscular branches of the profunda femoris artery, with contributions from the obturator and medial circumflex femoral arteries. |
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Section 07 of 20
Pictures and Visual Anatomy
Section 08 of 20
Functional Movement
Adductor longus is active in sprinting, kicking, skating, cutting sports, and horse riding, and in bringing the legs together or crossing the legs. It helps stabilize the pelvis during single-leg stance.
Section 09 of 20
Synergists and Antagonists
Synergists: adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus in adduction; iliopsoas and rectus femoris in flexion. Antagonists: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae (hip abductors).
Section 10 of 20
Palpation and Location
Client position and technique
Position the client supine with the hip slightly flexed and abducted (a relaxed frog-leg position) or side-lying with the upper leg supported. Ask for gentle adduction against light resistance. Locate the pubic tubercle and follow the taut tendon of adductor longus just below and lateral to it, then follow the belly down the medial thigh.
Protect nearby structures
The femoral triangle lies just lateral to the origin, containing the femoral nerve, artery, and vein and the inguinal lymph nodes; do not press deeply or use sustained pressure there. Groin work is sensitive: obtain explicit consent, drape securely, and stay below the inguinal crease and away from the genitals.
Section 11 of 20
Massage Therapy Relevance
Adductor longus is the adductor most often injured in sport. Medial thigh and groin pain has many causes, and this area calls for professionalism, clear communication, and careful screening.
Section 12 of 20
Dysfunction: What Happens When Movement Goes Wrong
Changes in how a muscle works can change how a joint moves. The points below describe possibilities that may be associated with altered muscle function; they are not diagnoses, and one muscle is never assumed to be the sole cause of a problem.
When the muscle is weak
Weakness may reduce control of the thigh in cutting and kicking and may increase the load on other adductors and the hip and pelvis.
When it is tight or shortened
Tightness may be associated with limited hip abduction and discomfort in wide stances, and may add tension near the pubic attachment.
When it is overused
Repeated sprinting, kicking, and direction changes may overload the tendon and may contribute to groin ache.
When it is strained
A strain may cause sharp groin or inner-thigh pain with adduction; groin pain also has hip, hernia, pubic bone, and other causes.
When it is inhibited or others compensate
Poor activation may be associated with less pelvic control and compensation from the abdominal wall and hip flexors.
When it does not coordinate well with synergists and antagonists
Imbalance with the hip abductors, the abdominal muscles, and the other adductors may alter pelvic stability and may be associated with groin symptoms in some athletes.
Section 13 of 20
Conditions, Pathologies, and Pain Relationships
Adductor strain
Groin strain is common in sports with sprinting, kicking, or rapid direction changes and often affects the proximal tendon. Acute pain, bruising, or weakness needs assessment, not deep work.
Adductor-related groin pain and tendinopathy
Persistent groin pain with resisted adduction may involve the tendon or pubic attachment. Persistent cases should be referred.
Osteitis pubis and stress injury
Pubic pain with weight bearing or activity can resemble an adductor strain and needs assessment.
Differential considerations
Inguinal or femoral hernia, hip joint or femoroacetabular problems, lumbar referral, obturator neuropathy, and testicular or urinary conditions can produce groin pain.
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Example Clinical Relationship
An athlete reports inner-thigh pain during sprinting that is worse when squeezing the knees together. Adductor longus may be involved, and the pattern may be associated with a groin strain. The same area can also be affected by a hernia, hip joint disease, or pubic bone stress, so a groin bulge, testicular pain, or pain after trauma calls for referral.
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Massage and Treatment Approaches
For healthy, non-acute tissue, use secure draping and begin with light effleurage and compression on the medial thigh. Progress to gentle kneading and longitudinal strokes along the belly, working toward the tendon only if comfortable.
| Positioning | Supine with the knee supported, or side-lying with the upper leg supported and the treated leg lower or resting on a bolster. |
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| Regional work | Consider the other adductors, quadriceps, hip flexors, and gluteals when assessment supports it. |
| Avoid | Deep pressure at an acute injury or at the femoral triangle, and any contact near the genitals. |
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Precautions and Contraindications
Precautions and contraindications
- Acute strain, hematoma, or recent surgery in the groin or hip.
- Suspected hernia or an unexplained groin lump: do not massage locally.
- Use caution with varicose veins, lymph node swelling, anticoagulant use, or easy bruising.
- Always obtain consent for medial thigh work and use secure draping.
Section 17 of 20
Red Flags and When to Refer
Red flags and referral
- Groin bulge, especially one that becomes painful or does not go back in.
- Testicular pain or swelling, blood in urine, or fever.
- Unilateral leg swelling, warmth, or calf pain, or sudden shortness of breath.
- Severe pain after trauma, inability to bear weight, or a palpable defect.
Section 18 of 20
Study Summary
Attachments
Origin: anterior pubis. Insertion: middle third of the linea aspera.
Actions
Hip adduction and assisted flexion; pelvic stability.
Supply
Anterior obturator nerve (L2–L4); profunda femoris branches.
Section 19 of 20
Instructor Narration
Open narration transcript
Adductor longus is the most anterior and superficial of the medial thigh adductors. Its rounded tendon can be felt just below the pubic tubercle, and its belly spreads down the inner thigh.
It arises from the anterior body of the pubis and inserts on the middle third of the linea aspera of the femur.
Its main action is hip adduction, and it also assists hip flexion. Adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus work with it. The hip abductors, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae oppose it.
The anterior division of the obturator nerve, from L2 to L4, supplies it. Blood comes mainly from the profunda femoris artery.
For palpation, place the client supine in a relaxed frog-leg position and ask for gentle adduction against light resistance. Follow the tendon from just below the pubic tubercle. The femoral triangle lies just lateral, so avoid deep pressure there. Always obtain consent, use secure draping, and stay away from the genitals.
Adductor strains are common in sport. Hernias, pubic bone problems, hip disorders, and testicular or urinary conditions can also cause groin pain. Refer a groin bulge, testicular pain or swelling, unilateral leg swelling, or severe pain after trauma.
Remember: anterior pubis to the middle linea aspera, adduction, and the obturator nerve.
Section 20 of 20