The adductor hiatus is a gap in the tendon of adductor magnus, between its adductor (aponeurotic) and hamstring parts, just above the medial femoral condyle. The femoral artery and vein pass through it from the adductor canal into the popliteal fossa, where they become the popliteal vessels.
| Location | Lower medial thigh, about 8-10 cm above the knee. |
|---|---|
| Boundaries |
|
| Contents |
Lets the femoral vessels pass from the front of the thigh to the back of the knee.
The hiatus marks the end of the adductor canal and the point where the femoral artery becomes the popliteal artery. The artery is relatively fixed here and can be compressed or damaged in distal femoral fractures and knee dislocations. It is also a common site of atherosclerotic narrowing.
Atherosclerotic blockage of the femoral artery near the adductor hiatus, causing calf claudication on walking.
The tethered artery at the hiatus can be stretched or torn by fracture fragments, threatening the blood supply to the leg.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
