Anatomy of the Adductor Canal

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Questions and Answers

What is the shape of the adductor canal in cross section?

Circular

Square

Triangular (correct)

Rectangular

Which muscle forms the anterior and lateral boundary of the adductor canal?

Rectus femoris

Sartorius

Vastus lateralis

Vastus medialis (correct)

From which anatomical landmark does the adductor canal extend?

Lateral tibial condyle

Superior margin of the fibula

Inferior aspect of the patella

Apical region of the femoral triangle (correct)

What serves as the roof of the adductor canal?

Sartorius muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which muscles form the posterior boundary (floor) of the adductor canal?

Adductor longus and adductor magnus Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is most likely to be compressed by a popliteal artery aneurysm?

Popliteal vein Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method used to confirm the presence of a popliteal artery aneurysm?

Doppler ultrasound Signup and view all the answers

Which nerve is adjacent to the structures in the popliteal fossa that may be affected by an aneurysm?

Tibial nerve Signup and view all the answers

What type of mass is typically found upon examination in the case of a popliteal artery aneurysm?

Palpable pulsatile mass Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is least likely to be affected by a popliteal artery aneurysm?

Radial nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT typically found within the adductor canal?

Popliteal artery Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle is associated with the anterior aspect of the adductor canal?

Rectus femoris Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the saphenous nerve within the adductor canal?

Sensory supply to the medial leg Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is NOT mentioned as a content of the adductor canal?

Profunda femoris artery Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary components in the adductor canal?

Femoral artery, femoral vein, and saphenous nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle originates from the same compartment adjacent to the adductor canal?

Gracilis Signup and view all the answers

What role does the fibrous membrane play in the anatomy of the adductor canal?

Houses nerves and blood vessels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the location of the adductor canal?

Deep to the sartorius muscle Signup and view all the answers

In which section of the adductor canal does the saphenous nerve lie medial to the femoral artery?

Lower 1/3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship of the femoral vein to the femoral artery at the upper end of the adductor canal?

Posterior to the artery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nerves exits the adductor canal by entering the vastus medialis?

Nerve to vastus medialis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the descending genicular artery in relation to the knee joint?

To supply blood specifically to the knee joint Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the saphenous nerve block?

Anaesthesia of the lower leg or foot Signup and view all the answers

In which part of the adductor canal does the saphenous nerve lie lateral to the femoral artery?

Upper 1/3 Signup and view all the answers

Which artery passes from the upper end to the lower end of the adductor canal?

Femoral artery Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely condition of the patient presenting with sudden onset of severe pain in the right leg?

Vascular occlusion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Adductor Canal

The adductor canal, also known as the sub-sartorial canal or Hunter’s canal, is a crucial intermuscular passageway within the middle third of the thigh.
Its shape is triangular in cross-section, with its apex extending from the femoral triangle and terminating at the adductor hiatus in the tendon of the adductor magnus.
The adductor canal is approximately 15 cm long.

Boundaries

Its anterior and lateral boundary is the vastus medialis muscle.
The posterior boundary, also known as the floor, is composed of two adductor muscles:
- The adductor longus
- The adductor magnus
The medial boundary, constituting the roof, is formed by:
- The sartorius muscle
- A fibrous membrane known as the "vaso-adductor membrane"

The adductor canal houses vital structures, including:
- Femoral artery: Passes from the upper to the lower end of the canal, with the vein lying posterolateral to it at the lower end.
- Femoral vein: Enters the canal from the upper end and has a complex relationship with the femoral artery.
- Saphenous nerve:
  - Lies lateral to the femoral artery in the upper third of the canal
  - Crosses in front of the femoral artery in the middle third
  - Lies medial to the femoral artery in the lower third
  - Pierces the fibrous sheath in the lower part to become superficial.
- Nerve to vastus medialis: Located lateral to the saphenous nerve in the upper part of the canal and exits to innervate the vastus medialis muscle.
- Descending genicular artery: Originates from the femoral artery in the lower part of the canal to supply the knee joint.

Clinical Relevance

The adductor canal is relevant to sub-sartorial saphenous nerve block (SSNB), a procedure used for anesthesia of the lower leg/foot, often used for surgical or non-surgical interventions.
The case scenario highlights the significance of understanding the contents of the adductor canal. An aneurysm in the popliteal artery can compress the structures within the canal, potentially affecting structures such as the tibial nerve, common peroneal nerve, or popliteal vein, depending on the aneurysm's location and size.

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Description

Explore the anatomy and boundaries of the adductor canal in this quiz. Focus on its location, structure, and the important vessels it contains. Understand the role of the muscles surrounding this intermuscular passageway in the thigh.