A surgeon operating within the adductor canal (subsartorial canal) must identify its contents. Which set of structures lies within the adductor canal?

• A Femoral vein, saphenous nerve, nerve to vastus lateralis, deep inguinal nodes
• B Femoral artery, femoral nerve, obturator nerve, great saphenous vein
• C Femoral artery, femoral vein, saphenous nerve, nerve to vastus medialis ✓
• D Femoral artery, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, obturator artery, femoral vein

Explanation

The adductor canal extends from the apex of the femoral triangle to the adductor hiatus and contains the femoral artery, the femoral vein lying posterolateral to it, the saphenous nerve crossing anteriorly, and the nerve to vastus medialis in its upper part. The femoral nerve itself ends just below the inguinal ligament and never enters the canal, which eliminates option B. The great saphenous vein is superficial and drains into the femoral vein at the saphenous opening, far proximal to the canal.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

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