Latin: Musculus adductor brevis
Definition
The short adductor muscle belongs to the adductor group of the thigh. Adduction is the Latin word for leading. In the hip joint, this means that the short adductor muscle brings the splayed thigh back to the body, for example. But the adductors of the thigh also play an important role in everyday movements, such as walking or playing soccer. The short adductor muscle runs approximately from the pubic bone at the front middle edge of the pelvis to the rear middle third of the thigh bone.
History
Approach: roughening of the thigh bone (Linea aspera). This lies in the middle third of the thigh bone on the back. Origin: Pubic bone (Os pubis) Innervation: N. obturatorius (L3-L4)
Function
The short adductor muscle pulls in its course from the top center (pubic bone) diagonally outward and downward (thigh bone roughening). Its main function is therefore to pull the thigh towards the middle of the body (adduction). However, it can also provide support when lifting the thigh due to its course from the pelvis to the thigh (flexion in the hip joint).
With strong flexion in the hip joint (over 80°), however, this function is reversed! i.e. if the thigh is lifted by 90°, for example, the short adductor muscle can pull the thigh down again when it contracts. This movement is called extension.
Common diseases
Overloading can lead to the typical muscle injuries such as pulled muscles, torn muscle fibers or complete muscle rupture, especially in athletes. Also (tendon) irritations can occur. Footballers in particular often complain of “adductor strain“, which can affect the short adductor muscle, among other things. Footballers suffer this injury mainly when passing or shooting with the instep, because the adductors are under particular strain during this movement due to the outwardly turned position of the leg.
Strengthening and stretching
There are two ways to stretch the inside of the thigh and thus the short adductor muscle. The athlete stands with approximately double the shoulder width (straddle step) and the tips of the feet point forward. The body weight is now shifted to one side, so that the leg on the side to be stretched is stretched approximately through, while the other leg is bent in the knee joint.
The upper body should be kept as straight as possible. The second variation is done while sitting. The soles of both feet touch each other while the knee joints are pressed towards the floor.
Strengthening of the short thigh muscle can be done in the gym on equipment designed for this purpose (“adductor machine“). Here the leg is guided inwards against a counterweight or resistance.
