Adductor Longus Muscle – Origin, Nerve Supply, Function

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 3 min read
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Article Summary

Adductor Longus Muscle is a major adductor of the thigh. The muscle is the most anterior muscle in the group. It fans out from its origin on the anterior aspect of the pubis and inserts on the linea aspera of the femur. It covers both the anterior portion of the adductor brevis and the central portion of the adductor Magnus. The adductor longus (also adductor...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Origin and Insertion of in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Nerve Supply of in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Blood Supply in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Function in simple medical language.
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Definition

Adductor Longus Muscle is a major adductor of the thigh. The muscle is the most anterior muscle in the group. It fans out from its origin on the anterior aspect of the pubis and inserts on the linea aspera of the . It covers both the anterior portion of the adductor brevis and the central portion of the adductor Magnus. The adductor longus (also adductor longus muscle, latin: musculus adductor longus) is one of the adductor muscles located in the medial region of the thigh.

Adductor Longus Muscle - Origin, Nerve Supply, Function

Origin and Insertion of

The adductor longus, a muscle of the medial compartment of the thigh, is triangular in shape and forms in the floor of the femoral triangle and adductor canal.

  • The muscle originates from the anterior surface of the body of the pubis, inferior to pubic crest and lateral to the pubic symphysis. It inserts onto the middle third of the medial lip of the linea Aspera. This insertion point is between the insertion of the adductor Magnus and the origin of vastus medialis muscle, and inferior to the adductor brevis insertion.
  • The adductor longus arises from the body of pubis inferior to pubic crest and lateral to the pubic symphysis. [rx]
  • It lies centrally on the adductor Magnus, and near the femur, the adductor brevis is interposed between these two muscles. Distally, the fibers of the adductor longus extend into the adductor canal.[rx]
  • It is inserted into the middle third of the medial lip of the linea aspera.[rx]

Nerve Supply of

  • The adductor longus is supplied by the anterior division of the obturator nerve. All three adductors (except the hamstring part of the adductor Magnus) and gracilis are supplied by the obturator nerve (anterior divisions of the ventral rami of L2-L4).
  • As part of the medial compartment of the thigh, the adductor longus is innervated by the anterior division (sometimes the posterior division) of the obturator nerve.[rx] The obturator nerve exits via the anterior rami of the  from L2, L3, and L4.

As the nerve passes the hip, it also gives an articular branch to the joint. It supplies adductor longus, adductor brevis, and gracious.

Blood Supply

  • Deep femoral (ventral view)
  • The blood supply to adductor longus comes from two , the profundal femoris artery (a branch of the femoral artery) and the obturator artery (a branch of the internal iliac artery).
  • The proximal part of the muscle is supplied by the medial circumflex artery (branch of the profundal femoris artery). Profunda femoris receives tributaries that correspond to the branches of the artery.

Function

  • Its main actions are to abduct and laterally rotate the thigh; it can also produce some degree of flexion/anteversion.[rx]
  • The main action of the adductor group of muscles is to adduct the thigh at the . The adductor longus muscle also participates in external/lateral rotation and flexion of the thigh.
  • The adductors help to stabilize the stance while standing and also have an important role in balancing the body on the lower limb during walking.

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Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
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Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
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Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
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Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

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Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: Adductor Longus Muscle – Origin, Nerve Supply, Function

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.