1. =Pectineus= (Figs. 180, 451, 456).—This muscle is fusiform and
extends from the anterior border of the pubis to the middle of the inner
border of the femur.
_Origin._—The prepubic tendon, the pubo-femoral ligament, and the
anterior border of the pubis.
_Insertion._—The middle of the internal border of the femur, near the
nutrient foramen.
_Action._—To adduct the limb and flex the hip joint.
_Structure._—The belly is cylindrical and contains little fibrous
tissue. Its origin is perforated by the pubo-femoral ligament, and is
thus divided into two unequal parts. The large upper part arises mainly
from the prepubic tendon—only a very small part gaining direct
attachment to the pubis. The small lower part does not reach the bone.
The insertion is pointed and tendinous.
_Relations._—Superficially, the gracilis; deeply, the femur, the vastus
internus, the terminal tendon of the psoas major and iliacus, and the
deep femoral artery; anteriorly, the sartorius, the femoral vessels, the
saphenous nerve, and the deep inguinal lymph glands; posteriorly, the
adductor, obturator externus, and quadratus femoris, and the obturator
nerve (anterior division).
_Blood-supply._—Femoral and deep femoral arteries.
_Nerve-supply._—Femoral and obturator nerves.
The _femoral canal_ is exposed in the dissection of the preceding
muscles (Figs. 200, 451). It is bounded anteriorly by the sartorius,
posteriorly by the pectineus, and externally by the iliacus and vastus
internus. Its internal wall is formed by the femoral fascia and the
gracilis. Its upper or abdominal opening (Lacuna vasorum) lies behind
and a little internal to the internal inguinal ring and is bounded
anteriorly by the inguinal ligament, posteriorly by the anterior
border of the pubis, and externally by the tendon of the psoas minor.
The canal terminates below at the insertion of the pectineus. It
contains the deep inguinal lymph glands, the femoral artery and vein,
and the saphenous nerve.
2. =Adductor=[66] (Figs. 179, 186, 451) (Great and small adductors of
the thigh).—This fleshy, prismatic muscle lies behind the pectineus and
vastus internus. It extends downward and forward from the ventral
surface of the pelvis to the internal condyle of the femur.
_Origin._—The ventral surface of the pubis and ischium and the tendon of
the gracilis.
_Insertion._—(1) The posterior surface of the femur from the level of
the external trochanter to the groove for the femoral vessels; (2) the
internal epicondyle of the femur and the internal lateral ligament of
the stifle joint.
_Action._—To adduct the limb and assist in extending the hip joint. It
may also rotate the femur outward.
_Structure._—It is almost entirely fleshy, and is composed of parallel
bundles united rather loosely. It is usually possible to separate from
the principal mass a small anterior short portion,[67] which is inserted
into the femur behind the pectineus. The principal mass[68] is
perforated below its middle by the femoral vessels, and is thus divided
into two branches. The outer branch is inserted into the back of the
femur with the short portion, while the inner branch is attached to the
internal epicondyle and lateral ligament. There is often a superficial
slip which reaches the internal straight patellar ligament. Some fibers
pass under the lateral ligament and end on the tendon of the
semimembranosus.
_Relations._—Internally, the gracilis, and branches of the femoral
artery and of the obturator nerve; externally, the femur, the obturator
externus, quadratus femoris, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius, and the
femoral, deep femoral, and obturator arteries; anteriorly, the
pectineus, vastus internus, and a large branch of the obturator nerve;
posteriorly, the semimembranosus and the great sciatic nerve.
_Blood-supply._—Femoral, deep femoral, and obturator arteries.
_Nerve-supply._—Obturator nerve.