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Pectineus muscle (anatomy)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Pectineus is one of the muscles of the medial compartment of each femur. It arises from the pectineal line of the pubis (pecten of pubis) and an area of the adjoining superior pubic ramus sited inferolaterally. It passes inferiorly, posteriorly and laterally to insert into the posterior aspect of the upper femur on a vertical line between the gluteal tuberosity and the spiral line. The muscle may be present as two discrete parts with separate nerve supplies.

It is innervated by the anterior division of the femoral nerve (L2,3). If a second part exists, usually it is supplied by the anterior division of the obturator nerve (L2,3).

Pectineus acts on the femur at the hip joint to:

  • flex
  • adduct
  • weakly medially rotate

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