Which nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor magnus’s adductor portion?

Which nerve provides motor innervation to the adductor magnus’s adductor portion?

• A. Tibial nerve
• B. Obturator nerve
• C. Femoral nerve
• D. Sciatic nerve

Answer: (B)

The part of adductor magnus that adducts the thigh is supplied by the obturator nerve. This nerve, arising from L2–L4, passes through the obturator canal and splits into anterior and posterior divisions; the posterior division specifically innervates the adductor portion of the adductor magnus (as well as obturator externus), while the tibial part of the sciatic nerve supplies the hamstring portion that extends the thigh. The femoral nerve doesn’t reach the adductor magnus, since it mainly controls the anterior thigh muscles, and the sciatic nerve handles the hamstring portion. So, motor innervation to the adductor part comes from the obturator nerve.

The part of adductor magnus that adducts the thigh is supplied by the obturator nerve. This nerve, arising from L2–L4, passes through the obturator canal and splits into anterior and posterior divisions; the posterior division specifically innervates the adductor portion of the adductor magnus (as well as obturator externus), while the tibial part of the sciatic nerve supplies the hamstring portion that extends the thigh. The femoral nerve doesn’t reach the adductor magnus, since it mainly controls the anterior thigh muscles, and the sciatic nerve handles the hamstring portion. So, motor innervation to the adductor part comes from the obturator nerve.