Which muscle attaches to the adductor tubercle?

Which muscle attaches to the adductor tubercle?

• A. Gracilis
• B. Adductor longus
• C. Pectineus
• D. Adductor magnus (hamstring/medial)

Answer: (D)

The key idea is where the distal tendon attaches on the femur. The adductor tubercle is the small bump on the distal medial femur, and its tendon is the insertion of the hamstring portion of the adductor magnus. This muscle has two parts: the adductor part, which attaches along the linea aspera, and the hamstring part, which goes down to the adductor tubercle. The other muscles attach elsewhere—gracilis to the medial tibia, adductor longus to the linea aspera, and pectineus to the pectineal line—so they don’t reach the adductor tubercle. Therefore, the muscle that attaches to the adductor tubercle is the hamstring portion of the adductor magnus.

The key idea is where the distal tendon attaches on the femur. The adductor tubercle is the small bump on the distal medial femur, and its tendon is the insertion of the hamstring portion of the adductor magnus. This muscle has two parts: the adductor part, which attaches along the linea aspera, and the hamstring part, which goes down to the adductor tubercle. The other muscles attach elsewhere—gracilis to the medial tibia, adductor longus to the linea aspera, and pectineus to the pectineal line—so they don’t reach the adductor tubercle. Therefore, the muscle that attaches to the adductor tubercle is the hamstring portion of the adductor magnus.