Pectineus
Musculus pectineus
A flat quadrangular muscle at the top of the medial thigh, in the floor of the femoral triangle. It adducts and flexes the hip and often has dual (femoral and obturator) innervation.
Overview
Pectineus arises from the pecten pubis (pectineal line of the superior pubic ramus) and descends posterolaterally to the pectineal line of the femur, just below the lesser trochanter. It lies between iliopsoas (lateral) and adductor longus (medial) in the floor of the femoral triangle, behind the femoral vein and the femoral canal. It adducts and flexes the thigh and helps medially rotate it. Developmentally it sits on the border between the anterior and medial compartments, so it is usually supplied by the femoral nerve, with an inconstant contribution from the obturator nerve or an accessory obturator nerve.
Anatomy
- Origin
Pecten pubis (superior ramus of the pubis).
- Insertion
Pectineal line of the femur, below the lesser trochanter.
- Action
Adduction and flexion of the thigh at the hip.
- Innervation
Femoral nerve; sometimes also the obturator or accessory obturator nerve.
- Nerve roots
L2–L3
- Arterial supply
Medial circumflex femoral artery and obturator artery.
- Relations
Forms the medial part of the floor of the femoral triangle. Lies behind the femoral vein and the femoral canal.
Function
- Adducts and flexes the thigh
- Assists medial rotation
Clinical significance
Femoral hernia
A femoral hernia descends through the femoral canal and lies directly on pectineus, below and lateral to the pubic tubercle.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Muscular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.