title: Classification and localization of the adductor hiatus: a cadaver study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine not only the vertical but also horizontal localization of the adductor hiatus (AH) and classify its shape and structure macroscopically.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty lower extremities were dissected to expose the AH. Its shape and structure were macroscopically noted, and the AH was classified into four types. For determining the localization, measurements were made with digital calipers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four oval fibrous types, 12 oval muscular types, 2 bridging fibrous types and 2 bridging muscular types of AH were determined. For the horizontal localization of AH, the apex of the AH was determined to be located medial to the vertical line between the midpoint of the interepicondylar distance and the line which was drawn transversely from the apex of the AH, in all of the cadavers. For the vertical one, the apex of the AH was located in the middle third of the femur length in 14 thighs, and in the remaining 26 ones, the apex of the AH was located in the distal third of the femur length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adductor hiatus was classified according to its shape and structure for the first time. Moreover, the localization of the AH was practically defined, in order not to harm the popliteal artery and vein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gayretli
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oztürk
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilke Ali
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Gürses
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dikici
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usta
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kayıhan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahinoğlu
keywords: Adductor hiatus; adductor canal outlet syndrome; adductor magnus muscle; femoropopliteal occlusion