Pectineus

The pectineus (Latin: musculus pectineus) is a flat, quadrangular-shaped skeletal muscle that is situated in the superomedial aspect of the thigh. It stretches between the pubis of the hip bone and femur. Together with the adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus and gracilis muscles, it forms the medial compartment of the thigh muscles. All mentioned muscles provide thigh adduction. Therefore, they belong to the muscle group called the thigh adductors.

Origin

The pectineus muscle originates from the pectineal line (pecten pubis) located on the superior ramus of the pubic bone.

Insertion

Fibers of the pectineus muscle pass downward and insert on the pectineal line and linea aspera of the femur.

Action

The pectineus muscle provides thigh flexion, thigh adduction and thigh external (lateral) rotation at the hip joint. Also, it stabilizes the pelvis.

Innervation

The pectineus is innervated by the branches of the femoral (L2 - L4) and obturator (L2, L3) nerves. Both nerves arise from the lumbar plexus.

Blood supply

The pectineus muscle receives arterial blood supply from the medial circumflex femoral and obturator arteries. The first artery arises from the deep femoral artery, while the latter is a branch of the internal iliac artery.