Pectineus Muscle

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, PT, DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Figure 1: Hip and Thigh Muscles1

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions2

Muscles of the Iliac and Anterior femoral regions2

Deep muscles of the medial thigh2

Deep muscles of the medial thigh2
Reading list
  • Ch59 Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis, Adductor Magnus, Pectineus, and Gracilis Muscles3
  • Neuman4
  • MMT5

Origin

Pecten Pubis6

Insertion

Femur (pectineal line and proximal linea aspera)6

Innervation

Action

  • Hip joint: ER (when >30-40° hip IR), ADD, slight flex
  • Pelvis: Stabilization in coronal and sagittal plane

At ~30-40° of internal rotation, the pectineus runs exactly inferior to the center of the joint, and thus stops functioning as an external rotator7. When the hip is internally rotated past 40°, the pectineus generates an external rotation torque7.

Palpation

See how to palpate this muscle along with other adductor muscles here.

References

1.
Betts JG, Blaker W. Openstax Anatomy and Physiology. 2nd ed. OpenStax; 2022. https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/?Book%20details
2.
Gray H. Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. (Lewis WH, ed.). Lea & Febiger; 1918. https://www.bartleby.com/107/
3.
Donnelly JM, Simons DG, eds. Travell, Simons & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Third edition. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2019.
4.
Neumann DA, Kelly ER, Kiefer CL, Martens K, Grosz CM. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed. Elsevier; 2017.
5.
Weinstock D. NeuroKinetic Therapy: An Innovative Approach to Manual Muscle Testing. North Atlantic Books; 2010.
6.
Gilroy AM, MacPherson BR, Wikenheiser JC, Voll MM, Wesker K, Schünke M, eds. Atlas of Anatomy. 4th ed. Thieme; 2020.
7.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.

Citation

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