Lower Limb

Adductor Canal

Reading Time:

Overview


A fascial canal extending from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus. Its other names include Hunter’s canal, or the subsartorial canal. The adductor canal is approximately 15cm long.


Gross Anatomy


Boundries:

 

Anterolateral = vastus medialis

Posteromedial = adductor longus and adductor magnus

Anteromedial (roof) = subsartorial fascia

Contents:

 

Femoral artery

Femoral vein

Saphenous nerve

Nerve to vastus medialis


Adductor hiatus:

 

Aperture in the lower end of adductor magnus muscle

As the femoral artery exits the adductor canal via the adductor hiatus, it becomes the popliteal artery, which runs through the popliteal fossa.


Clinical Anatomy


Adductor canal block

 

Use of local anaesthetic to block the saphenous nerve only using its location in the adductor canal.

For procedures to the distal thigh, knee and medial side of leg

A pure sensory block

Can be combined with a sciatic block to provide a complete sensory block to the distal thigh, knee, leg and foot.

 

Adductor canal compression syndrome

 

Rare, but most common in young men

Compression of the neurovascular bundle within the adductor canal

Causes = hypertrophy of adjacent muscles, abnormal musculotendinous band

Symptoms and signs often appear during exercise and include: calf claudication, paraesthesia, oedema, absent pedal/popliteal pulses, pain


Quick Anatomy


Key Facts

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.

Aide-Memoire

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.

Summary


The adductor canal transports important neurovascular structures from the anterior thigh to the posterior leg.

References


Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.