Adductor hiatus
Hiatus adductorius
Definition
The adductor hiatus (hiatus magnus) is a fibrous gap or opening between the femur and the adductor magnus muscle in the distal part of the thigh that allows the passage of the femoral vessels and nerves from the anterior thigh to the posterior thigh and then in the popliteal fossa.
This hiatus allows for the passage of the femoral artery and vein from the anterior compartment of the thigh to the posterior compartment, where they become the popliteal artery and vein as they enter the popliteal fossa behind the knee.
The adductor hiatus is the distal termination of the adductor canal.
References
