Adductor canal

The adductor canal (a.k.a. the subsartorial canal or the Hunter's canal) is a musculoaponeurotic tunnel situated in the middle third of the thigh, deep to the sartorius muscle. It extends from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus in the adductor magnus muscle.

Functionally, it serves as a neurovascular passage transmitting major vessels and nerves from the anterior to the posterior compartment of the thigh, reaching the popliteal fossa.

Boundaries

• Note: The vastoadductor membrane (VAM) is a strong aponeurosis that bridges between the vastus medialis and the adductor muscles, forming the true roof of the adductor canal. The space between the VAM and the sartorius is called the subsartorial space, which may contain different nerve structures.

Extent and openings

• Proximal opening: At the apex of the femoral triangle, where the sartorius crosses the adductor longus.

• Distal opening: The adductor hiatus, an oval gap within the adductor magnus, where the femoral vessels pass into the popliteal fossa.

• Anterior foramen: Small opening through the vastoadductor membrane, where the saphenous nerve and descending genicular vessels pierce to become superficial.

Contents

• Femoral artery – continues distally as the popliteal artery after passing through the adductor hiatus.

• Femoral vein – ascends through the canal, receiving tributaries such as the saphenous vein.

• Saphenous nerve – a sensory branch of the femoral nerve; pierces the vastoadductor membrane to emerge superficially between sartorius and gracilis.

• Nerve to vastus medialis – often runs in the subsartorial space, rather than within the canal proper.

• Occasional lymphatic vessels.