Medial Compartment of the Thigh

The medial compartment is separated from the anterior compartment by an inward extension of the fascia lata, the _____.

Medial Compartment of the Thigh

The medial compartment is separated from the anterior compartment by an inward extension of the fascia lata, the medial intermuscular septum.

•  L1-2; cutaneous to area just inferior to middle part of inguinal ligament

• from posterior divisions of L2-3; enters thigh deep to inguinal ligament near ASIS; cutaneous to lateral thigh

•  branches of L1, cutaneous to suprapubic and inguinal regions

• participates in the sacral plexus with ventral rami of S1-S4

• from posterior divisions of L2-L4; enters thigh deep to the inguinal ligament and lateral to the femoral sheath and divides into several branches; innervates muscles of anterior compartment of thigh (except tensor fascia lata); supplies cutaneous branches to anterior thigh; via saphenous nerve, supplies skin on anteromedial knee, leg and foot.

from anterior divisions of L2-4; enters thigh through a gap in the obturator foramen (the obturator canal).  It divides into an anterior and posterior divisions which pass on respective sides of adductor brevis.  It innervates muscles of medial compartment of thigh (except hamstring part of adductor magnus) and provides a cutaneous branch to medial thigh

• obturator n.
• femoral n. 
• lumbosacral trunk
• ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves
• lateral femoral cutaneous n.
• genitofemoral n.

Blood supply is from the femoral artery, perforating branches of the deep femoral artery and from the obturator artery (branch of internal iliac artery)

1. Boundaries
1. Posterior: adductor longus and magnus
2. Medial (“roof”): sartorius
3. Anterolateral: vastus medialis
2. Contents: femoral vessels, branch of femoral nerve to vastus medialis and saphenous nerve

The Adductor Canal- a fascial tunnel running from the apex of the femoral triangle to the _____ (in the tendon of adductor magnus).

The Adductor Canal- a fascial tunnel running from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus (in the tendon of adductor magnus).

1. Origin- external surface of obturator foramen and membrane
2. Insertion- passes posterior to the neck of the femur and attaches to the trochanteric fossa
3. Innervation- obturator nerve; L3, L4
4. Function- externally rotates thigh, steadies head of femur in acetabulum

1. Gracilis

1. Origin- body and inferior ramus of pubis
2. Insertion- medial surface of proximal tibia between insertions of sartorius and semitendinous; contributes to pes anserinus tendon 
3. Innervation- obturator nerve; L2, L3
4. Function- adducts thigh, flexes and weakly internally rotates leg at knee

• Origin-Adductor Part- inferior ramus of pubis, ramus of ischium. Hamstring part- ischial tuberosity
• Insertion-
  Adductor Part- gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, medial supracondylar line
  Hamstring Part- adductor tubercle
• Innervation
  Adductor Part- obturator nerve; L2, L3, L4
  Hamstring Part- tibial part of sciatic nerve; L4
• Function-
  Adductor Part- adducts thigh, weakly flexes thigh
  Hamstring Part- weakly extends thigh

Origin- body and inferior ramus of pubis
Insertion- pectineal line (of femur) and proximal part of linea apera
Innervation-  obturator nerve; L2, L3, L4
Function- adducts thigh

• Origin- body of pubis
• Insertion- middle 1/3 of linea aspera
• Innervation- obturator nerve; L2, L3, L4
• Function- adducts thigh

• adductor longus
• adductor brevis
• adductor magnus
• gracilis
• obturator externus