Muscle
Pectineus
Flexes and adducts the hip
High-yield
Transitional muscle - usually femoral nerve, sometimes also obturator. Floor of the femoral triangle.
Overview
A flat quadrangular muscle in the femoral triangle floor that adducts and flexes the hip; it may have dual (femoral + obturator) supply.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Pecten pubis (superior ramus of the pubis)
- Insertion
- Pectineal line of the femur (below the lesser trochanter)
- Action
- Adducts and flexes the thigh at the hip
- Innervation
- Femoral nerve (L2, L3); occasionally obturator nerve
- Blood supply
- Medial femoral circumflex / obturator arteries
Frequently asked questions
What does the pectineus do?
The pectineus adducts and flexes the thigh at the hip.
What nerve innervates the pectineus?
The pectineus is innervated by the femoral nerve (L2, L3); occasionally obturator nerve.
Where does the pectineus attach?
The pectineus originates from the pecten pubis (superior ramus of the pubis) and inserts on the pectineal line of the femur (below the lesser trochanter).
What is the blood supply of the pectineus?
The pectineus is supplied by the medial femoral circumflex / obturator arteries.