Detailed overview of the thigh adductor muscles and their role in leg movement and pelvic stabilization.
Adductors
The adductor group of thigh muscles occupies the medial (inner) compartment of the thigh, generally originating from the pelvis and inserting on the femur. This group includes the pectineus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, and adductor magnus. The adductor magnus is the largest and most posterior, often considered the most powerful and complex of the group.
Their primary function is to adduct the thigh, meaning they move the leg closer to the body's central axis. They also play a significant role in stabilizing the pelvis during walking and assist with postural control, hip flexion, and rotation.