Overview
The groin muscles are a group of 5 muscles called the adductors. They are the adductor longus, adductor brevis, adductor magnus, gracilis, and pectineus. They connect from the pelvis to the inside of the thigh bone (femur) and the top inside of the shin bone (tibia). Your groin muscles allow you to move your leg toward the center of your body. They also help with balance and stabilization. These muscles are prone to strains and tears caused by overuse or sudden movements, like twisting or turning sharply.
Review Date 6/20/2024
Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.