Figure 15-2
Medial thigh muscles, anterior view.

To identify the muscles of the medial thigh, begin posterior to the femoral vessels and nerves. Identify the pectineus in the most superior thigh. (Figure 15-2)

Just lateral to the pectineus, find the iliopsoas as it prepares to insert onto the lesser trochanter of the femur. Medial to the pectineus find the adductor longus. The profunda femoris artery passes between the pectineus and the adductor longus.

Now find the gracilis as it descends down the medial thigh to insert on the medial proximal tibia.

Deep to the adductor longus, find the adductor brevis. This muscle can be identified by the presence of the obturator nerve on both its anterior (anterior branch) and posterior surfaces (posterior branch). This muscle is "sandwiched" between its motor nerve supply.

Lateral to the gracilis and deep to the adductor brevis, find the large adductor magnus. Follow this muscle inferiorly to its attachment on the adductor tubercle of the medial femoral epicondyle.

Locate the adductor hiatus. If the pectineus has been cut, you should be able to see the very deeply placed obturator externus.