Author: Dr Peter de Souza
Last modified: 7 November 2022

The pectineus muscle is one of the 6 muscles of the medial compartment of the thigh. The pectineus is a flat and rectangular muscle which forms part of the floor of the medial half of the femoral triangle.

The medial compartment of the thigh includes the following 6 muscles:

  • Pectineus
  • Gracilis
  • Adductor longus
  • Adductor brevis
  • Adductor magnus
  • Obturator externus

Origin

  • Pectineal line on superior pubic ramus

Insertion

  • Pectineal line on the proximal medial femoral shaft (oblique line which extends from lesser trochanter to the linea aspera)

Action

  • Adducts hip
  • Flexes hip

Innervation

  • Femoral nerve: L2, L3, L4

Blood Supply

  • Medial circumflex femoral artery
  • Obturator artery