Adductor hiatus
Encyclopedia
The adductor hiatus is a gap between the adductor magnus muscle and the femur
that allows the passage of the femoral vessels from the anterior thigh to the posterior thigh and then the popliteal fossa
. It is the termination of the adductor canal
and lies about 2 inches superior to the knee
.
Four structures are associated with the adductor hiatus. However, only two structures enter and then leave through the hiatus; namely the femoral artery
and femoral vein
. Those vessels become the popliteal vessels (popliteal artery
and popliteal vein
) immediately after they leave the hiatus, where they form a network of anastomoses called the genicular vessels. The genicular vessels supply the knee joint.
The other two structures that are associated with the adductor hiatus are the saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
and the saphenous nerve
. The saphenous nerve doesn't actually leave through the adductor hiatus but penetrates superficially half way through the adductor canal
.
just superior to the knee joint will most likely affect the adductor hiatus and may cause impairment of the blood supply to the lower leg.
Femur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
that allows the passage of the femoral vessels from the anterior thigh to the posterior thigh and then the popliteal fossa
Popliteal fossa
The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia.-Boundaries:The boundaries of the fossa are:-Roof:...
. It is the termination of the adductor canal
Adductor canal
The adductor canal is an aponeurotic tunnel in the middle third of the thigh, extending from the apex of the femoral triangle to the opening in the Adductor magnus, the Adductor hiatus.-Boundary:...
and lies about 2 inches superior to the knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
.
Four structures are associated with the adductor hiatus. However, only two structures enter and then leave through the hiatus; namely the femoral artery
Femoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
and femoral vein
Femoral vein
In the human body, the femoral vein is a blood vessel that accompanies the femoral artery in the femoral sheath. It begins at the adductor canal and is a continuation of the popliteal vein...
. Those vessels become the popliteal vessels (popliteal artery
Popliteal artery
In human anatomy, the popliteal artery is defined as the extension of the "superficial" femoral artery after passing through the adductor canal and adductor hiatus above the knee...
and popliteal vein
Popliteal vein
The popliteal vein course runs alongside the popliteal artery but carries the blood from the knee joint and muscles in the thigh and calf back to the heart.Its origin is defined by the junction of the posterior tibial vein and anterior tibial vein....
) immediately after they leave the hiatus, where they form a network of anastomoses called the genicular vessels. The genicular vessels supply the knee joint.
The other two structures that are associated with the adductor hiatus are the saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
Saphenous branch of descending genicular artery
The saphenous branch of descending genicular artery pierces the aponeurotic covering of the adductor canal, and accompanies the saphenous nerve to the medial side of the knee....
and the saphenous nerve
Saphenous nerve
The saphenous nerve is the largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve.-Path:It approaches the femoral artery where this vessel passes beneath the sartorius, and lies in front of the artery, behind the aponeurotic covering of the adductor canal, as far as the opening in the lower part of the...
. The saphenous nerve doesn't actually leave through the adductor hiatus but penetrates superficially half way through the adductor canal
Adductor canal
The adductor canal is an aponeurotic tunnel in the middle third of the thigh, extending from the apex of the femoral triangle to the opening in the Adductor magnus, the Adductor hiatus.-Boundary:...
.
Clinical considerations
A fracture of the femurFemur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
just superior to the knee joint will most likely affect the adductor hiatus and may cause impairment of the blood supply to the lower leg.