The vastoadductor membrane forms the roof of the adductor (Hunter's) canal, connecting the vastus medialis anteriorly to adductor longus and magnus posteriorly. It is pierced by the saphenous nerve and the descending genicular artery as they exit the canal into the medial thigh and knee.
| Location | Medial thigh, in the lower part of the adductor canal, deep to sartorius |
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Forms the roof of the lower part of the adductor canal, enclosing the femoral vessels and saphenous nerve. It is a landmark for the adductor canal nerve block.
The vastoadductor membrane is a key landmark for the adductor canal (saphenous nerve) block, which gives knee analgesia with little quadriceps weakness and is widely used after knee replacement. Endoscopic or ultrasound-guided release of this membrane treats saphenous nerve entrapment. Haematoma within the canal compresses the saphenous nerve, causing medial knee and leg numbness. Rarely, a fibrous band at the canal compresses the femoral artery in young athletes, producing exertional claudication that is relieved by surgical release.
Compression of the femoral vessels or saphenous nerve within Hunter's canal from haematoma, lipoma, or membrane fibrosis, producing medial thigh and knee pain with exertion.
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