which rotation of femur does gleutus maximus does

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The textbooks confirm the answer clearly. Here is the complete, sourced response:

Gluteus Maximus - Rotation of the Femur

The gluteus maximus performs lateral (external) rotation of the femur at the hip joint.

Actions of Gluteus Maximus at a glance:

Action	Details
Primary	Hip extension (most powerful extensor)
Secondary	Lateral (external) rotation of the femur
Via IT band	Stabilizes the knee by tensing the iliotibial band

Why it laterally rotates:

The gluteus maximus inserts partly into the gluteal tuberosity of the femur (posterior surface) and partly into the iliotibial band. Because its line of pull passes posterior to the hip joint's vertical axis, contraction pulls the femur externally/laterally, rotating the toes outward.

The muscle works alongside the other dedicated external rotators of the hip (the "deep six"): piriformis, obturator internus, obturator externus, superior gemellus, inferior gemellus, and quadratus femoris.

Nerve supply:

Inferior gluteal nerve (L5, S1, S2)

Key clinical point:

After total hip replacement (posterior approach), the gluteus maximus and external rotators are cut - this is why patients are instructed to avoid internal rotation + adduction + flexion >90° to prevent dislocation, because the stabilizing external rotators (including gluteus maximus) are temporarily weakened.

Sources: Imaging Anatomy - Bones, Joints, Vessels and Nerves (Thieme); General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System (Thieme Atlas); Gray's Anatomy for Students

does adductor longus externally rotate thigh and adductor magnus internally rotate

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Now I have everything needed for a clear, well-sourced answer.

Adductor Longus and Adductor Magnus - Rotational Actions

Your question has a partially correct and partially incorrect premise. Here is what the textbooks say:

Adductor Longus - Does it externally rotate?

No. Adductor longus performs MEDIAL (internal) rotation, not external rotation.

"Functionally, the muscle produces adduction and medial rotation of the thigh."

Gray's Anatomy for Students

The Thieme Atlas of Anatomy also lists both adductor longus and adductor magnus under the internal rotation group of hip muscles.

So adductor longus:

Adducts the thigh (primary)
Medially (internally) rotates the thigh (secondary)
Assists in hip flexion

Adductor Magnus - Does it internally rotate?

This one is more nuanced because adductor magnus has two distinct parts with conflicting actions:

Part	Nerve Supply	Rotational Action
Adductor part (anterior/oblique)	Obturator nerve (L2-L4)	External rotation (assists)
Hamstring part (posterior/vertical)	Tibial part of sciatic nerve (L4-L5)	Medial/internal rotation component

From Imaging Anatomy (Thieme):

"The adductor magnus and brevis also assist in external rotation of the hip."

From Imaging Anatomy - Adductor and Medial Thigh Muscles:

"Major functions of the adductor muscles include adduction, extension, and medial rotation."

So adductor magnus is dual-natured - the adductor portion contributes to external rotation, while the overall muscle group (especially the hamstring head) contributes to medial rotation. The Thieme Atlas lists adductor magnus under both the internal rotation group and the extension group.

Summary Table

Muscle	External Rotation?	Internal/Medial Rotation?
Adductor longus	No	Yes (medial rotation)
Adductor magnus - adductor part	Yes (assists)	No
Adductor magnus - hamstring part	No	Yes (contributes)

Bottom line: Your premise is reversed for adductor longus - it medially rotates, not externally. For adductor magnus, the internal rotation role is real but only applies to its hamstring portion; the adductor portion actually assists external rotation.

Sources: Gray's Anatomy for Students; Imaging Anatomy Vol. 3 (Thieme); General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System - Thieme Atlas of Anatomy

what about brevius

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The textbooks give a clear, direct answer.

Adductor Brevis - Rotational Action

Adductor brevis assists in external (lateral) rotation of the hip - the same as adductor magnus (adductor portion).

Direct quote from Imaging Anatomy Vol. 3 (Thieme):

"The adductor magnus and brevis also assist in external rotation of the hip."

Interestingly, a different section of the same textbook describing its bony attachments states it functions as a flexor and adductor without listing rotation - showing the rotational contribution is minor/secondary.

Full Action Summary of Adductor Brevis:

Action	Strength
Adduction of thigh	Primary
Flexion of thigh	Primary
External rotation	Secondary / weak assist

Origin: Inferior pubic ramus
Insertion: Pectineal line and upper medial linea aspera of femur
Nerve: Obturator nerve (L2-L4)

Putting All Three Adductors Together for Rotation:

Muscle	Rotation Role
Adductor longus	Medial (internal) rotation
Adductor brevis	Lateral (external) rotation (weak)
Adductor magnus	External (adductor part) / Internal (hamstring part)

So among the three adductors, adductor longus is the odd one out - it medially rotates while brevis and the adductor part of magnus both contribute to external rotation.

Source: Imaging Anatomy - Bones, Joints, Vessels and Nerves, Thieme Atlas Vol. 3

compartments in thigh

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