What action does the adductor longus perform?

What action does the adductor longus perform?

• A. Flexion of thigh
• B. Abduction
• C. Adduction and medial rotation of thigh
• D. Extension of thigh

Answer: (C)

Adductor longus is a muscle of the medial thigh that pulls the femur toward the midline. Its primary action is adduction of the thigh, and it also contributes to medial rotation, with the exact role influenced by the hip’s position (it can assist in flexion when the thigh is extended and in medial rotation when the thigh is flexed). It does not primarily abduct or extend the thigh, which are actions dominated by other muscles. So, the combination of adduction and medial rotation best captures what adductor longus does.

Adductor longus is a muscle of the medial thigh that pulls the femur toward the midline. Its primary action is adduction of the thigh, and it also contributes to medial rotation, with the exact role influenced by the hip’s position (it can assist in flexion when the thigh is extended and in medial rotation when the thigh is flexed). It does not primarily abduct or extend the thigh, which are actions dominated by other muscles. So, the combination of adduction and medial rotation best captures what adductor longus does.