A long-distance runner complains of burning pain along the medial side of the knee and proximal leg, reproduced by extending the knee while passively dorsiflexing the ankle. The symptoms are attributed to entrapment of a nerve within the adductor canal. Which structure accompanies this nerve inside the canal?
- A Nerve to vastus lateralis
- B Medial sural cutaneous nerve
- C Obturator nerve
- D Femoral artery ✓
Correct answer: D. Femoral artery
Explanation
The adductor canal (Hunter's canal) contains the femoral artery, femoral vein, saphenous nerve, and the nerve to vastus medialis. The entrapped nerve here is the saphenous nerve, which runs with the femoral vessels before piercing the roof near the knee. The obturator nerve lies in the medial thigh compartment and never enters the canal, killing option C.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.