Pectineus

The pectineus (also pectineus muscle, latin: musculus pectineus) is a flat, quadrangular muscle situated in the medial region of the thigh.

Origin

The pectineus originates from the pectineal line of the pubic bone, also known as the pecten pubis.

Insertion

Fibers of the pectineus muscle pass downward and in posterolateral direction and insert onto the pectineal line of the femur.

Action

The main function of the pectineus is flexion of the hip. Other actions provided by the pectineus muscle are adduction and external rotation of the hip.

Innervation

The pectineus is innervated by the muscular branches of the femoral nerve and the anterior branch of the obturator nerve, both arising from the lumbar plexus.

Medial compartment of thigh muscles

The pectineus muscle is one of the five muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh. 

Medial compartment of the thigh muscles consist of:

• Pectineus muscle
• Adductor brevis muscle
• Adductor longus muscle
• Adductor magnus muscle
• Gracilis muscle