Anatomical and mechanical relationship between the proximal attachment of adductor longus and the distal rectus sheath.
The adductor longus (AL) attaches on the antero-inferior aspect of the pubis. Several studies have shown that there is some interaction between the proximal attachment of the AL and the distal rectus sheath (DRS). However no studies have investigated the mechanical relationship between these two structures. The aim of this study is 1) to investigate the anatomical relationship between the AL and DRS and 2) to determine whether unilateral loading of the AL results in strain transmission across the anterior pubic symphysis to the contralateral DRS.
A total of 10 embalmed cadavers were used in this study. Seven of these cadavers were used for the measurement of the strain transfer. In almost all cases the proximal attachment was tendinous on its superficial surface and muscular on its deep surface. Besides the attachment on the pubis, secondary communications were found with among others the contralateral DRS, pubic symphysis anterior capsule, ilio-inguinal ligament and contralateral proximal AL tendon. Although the anatomical consistency of the interaction of the AL and DRS in almost all cadavers, strain transfer from the AL to the DRS varied considerably.
The anatomical pathway between the AL across the anterior pubic symphysis to the DRS could be a relevant factor in explaining the high prevalence of both structures in injuries in multidirectional athletes. >From: Norton-Old et al., Clin Anat. 26 (2013) 522-30. All rights reserved to John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Pubmed summary of the article can be found here.
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