Which vessels pass through the adductor hiatus of the adductor magnus?

The femoral artery and femoral vein pass through the adductor hiatus (hiatus adductorius). Upon exiting into the popliteal fossa, they become the popliteal artery and popliteal vein.

Does the saphenous nerve pass through the adductor hiatus?

No, the saphenous nerve (n. saphenus) does not pass through the adductor hiatus. It exits the adductor canal through the anterior opening alongside the descending genicular artery.

How is the posterior thigh compartment supplied with blood if no major trunk arteries run directly through it?

The posterior compartment of the thigh is supplied by the perforating arteries (aa. perforantes). These branch off the deep artery of the thigh, pierce the adductor magnus muscle, and supply the posterior muscle compartment.

How is dual innervation of the adductor magnus achieved?

The greater part of the muscle is innervated by branches of the obturator nerve, while the posterior fibers running to the adductor tubercle are supplied by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve.

Adductor Magnus: Anatomy, Innervation and Hiatus

Adductor Magnus Muscle

m. adductor magnus

For medical students2 min readUpdated 2026-10-10

The adductor magnus muscle (m. adductor magnus) is a large triangular muscle of the medial thigh compartment that acts as a powerful adductor. It contributes to the formation of the adductor canal and forms the adductor hiatus, allowing femoral vessels to pass into the popliteal fossa.

GroupMedial compartment of the thigh

FunctionAdduction and partial extension of the thigh

Blood supplyPerforating arteries and obturator artery

InnervationDual: obturator nerve and tibial part of the sciatic nerve

Anatomy and Attachments

Origin (O): arises from the inferior ramus of the pubis and the ramus of the ischium down to the ischial tuberosity (tuber ischiadicum).
Insertion (I): inserts along the entire length of the medial lip of the linea aspera of the femur (medial linea aspera) and onto the adductor tubercle (adductor tubercle).
Structural features: the tendon arches over the medial epicondyle to form a tendinous opening — the adductor hiatus (hiatus adductorius or hiatus tendineus).

Functions

Acts as a powerful adductor of the thigh.
Posterior-medial muscle fibers perform extension of the thigh.
Participates in the rotation of the thigh.

Blood Supply and Innervation

Blood supply: primarily supplied by perforating arteries (aa. perforantes), which branch off the deep artery of the thigh (profunda femoris), as well as the obturator artery (a. obturatoria). The perforating arteries pierce the adductor muscles to reach the posterior thigh.
Innervation: the major portion of the muscle is innervated by branches of the obturator nerve (n. obturatorius), whereas the posterior fibers extending to the adductor tubercle are supplied by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve (n. ischiadicus).

Topography and Relationships

The muscle is located in the medial compartment of the thigh. In the posterior thigh, it belongs to the deep layer.

Contribution to the adductor canal (Hunter's canal, canalis adductorius):

M. adductor magnus forms the posterior wall of the canal.
The lateral wall is formed by the vastus medialis muscle (m. vastus medialis).
The roof is formed by the vastoadductor membrane (lamina vastoadductoria / septum intermusculare vastoadductoria).

Adductor hiatus (hiatus adductorius): Serves as the distal outlet of the adductor canal into the popliteal fossa. Through it, the femoral artery and vein (a. et v. femoralis) transition into the popliteal artery and vein (a. et v. poplitea). The saphenous nerve (n. saphenus) does not pass through this hiatus, instead leaving the canal via its anterior opening along with the descending genicular artery.

Clinical Significance

The adductor hiatus serves as a key topographical landmark and boundary between the adductor canal and the popliteal fossa.
Compression of the femoral vessels or the saphenous nerve within the distal adductor canal can lead to ischemic pain in the leg and foot, as well as paresthesias along the medial aspect of the leg.

Frequently asked questions

Which vessels pass through the adductor hiatus of the adductor magnus?: The femoral artery and femoral vein pass through the adductor hiatus (hiatus adductorius). Upon exiting into the popliteal fossa, they become the popliteal artery and popliteal vein.
Does the saphenous nerve pass through the adductor hiatus?: No, the saphenous nerve (n. saphenus) does not pass through the adductor hiatus. It exits the adductor canal through the anterior opening alongside the descending genicular artery.
How is the posterior thigh compartment supplied with blood if no major trunk arteries run directly through it?: The posterior compartment of the thigh is supplied by the perforating arteries (aa. perforantes). These branch off the deep artery of the thigh, pierce the adductor magnus muscle, and supply the posterior muscle compartment.
How is dual innervation of the adductor magnus achieved?: The greater part of the muscle is innervated by branches of the obturator nerve, while the posterior fibers running to the adductor tubercle are supplied by the tibial part of the sciatic nerve.

Go deeper

Adductor canal (Hunter's canal)
Perforating arteries of the thigh
Popliteal fossa
Obturator nerve