Pectineus muscle
Musculus pectineus
- Related terms: Pectineus
Definition
Pectineus muscle (Muscle group: Medial compartment of thigh) | |
Origin | Pecten pubis on superior pubic ramus |
Insertion | Pectineal line of femur |
Artery | Obturator artery |
Innervation | Femoral nerve, and sometimes by obturator nerve |
Action | Flexion, adduction, and medial rotation of thigh |
The pectineus is a flat, quadrangular muscle situated in the superomedial part of the thigh, forming part of the floor of the medial half of the femoral triangle.
Origin
The pectineus muscle fibres originate mainly from the pectineal line of the superior ramus of pubis (pectin pubis) and the adjacent body of the pubic bone.
Insertion
The muscle fibres descend laterally to insert into the pectineal line of the femur, that extends from just inferior to the lesser trochanter to upper end of the linea aspera on the femoral shaft.
Innervation
Femoral nerve (L2, L3) — anterior division.
In some individuals, may receive a branch from the obturator nerve (dual innervation), reflecting its transitional position between compartments.
Relations
Anteriorly: Covered by the fascia lata and femoral triangle structures (femoral artery and vein).
Posteriorly: Lies upon the adductor brevis (and part of adductor magnus), obturator externus, and hip joint capsule.
Laterally: In contact with iliopsoas.
References
Kim, H., Kim, W.K., Kim, Y.S. and Nam, Y.S., 2021. Morphologic classification and innervation patterns of the pectineus muscle. Anatomical Science International, 96(4), pp.524-530.
Drake, R. L., Vogl, A. W., & Mitchell, A. W. M. (2010). Gray’s Anatomy for Students (2nd ed., Chapter 6: Lower Limb, p. 566). Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
