Topographical Anatomy of the Adductor Muscle Group in the Albino Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

In comparative anatomy, the adductor muscles are said to be quite variable and to often cause difficulty in separation. The arrangement of these muscles and the possible occurrence of the adductor minimus and obturator intermedius muscles in the albino rat has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to accurately describe the adductor muscles in the albino rat (Rattus norvegicus). We hypothesized that all adductor muscles are constantly present and can be separated in a constant manner, and that the adductor minimus and obturator intermedius muscles are constant structures. Both pelvic limbs of 30 formalin-embalmed male albino rats were carefully dissected. The identification of the individual muscles was made based on their position in relation to the two branches of the obturator nerve and by comparing our results with previous findings in other species including humans. All examined rats had two gracilis muscles. The adductor longus muscle was the most superficial and smallest individual. The adductor brevis split into two parts of insertion—the femoral and genicular parts. The adductor magnus and minimus muscles could be separated constantly. The obturator intermedius muscle was a constant structure next to the obturator externus muscle. The adductor muscles of the albino rat were constantly separable and could be clearly assigned to their names. Further research is needed to investigate these muscles, especially the obturator intermedius muscle, in other species including humans.