Section 01 of 20
Introduction
Pectineus is a short, flat, quadrangular muscle at the top of the inner thigh. It forms part of the floor of the femoral triangle, lying between the psoas major tendon on its lateral side and adductor longus on its medial side.
It is unusual because it commonly receives two nerve supplies. The front part is supplied by the femoral nerve and the back part by the obturator nerve, which reflects its mixed role as both a hip flexor and a hip adductor.
Section 02 of 20
Origin
| Origin | Pectineal line of the pubis on the superior pubic ramus, and the adjacent surface of the pubic bone. |
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An anatomical image for this section will be added when verified source media becomes available.
Section 03 of 20
Insertion
| Insertion | The pectineal line of the femur, a short line running from the lesser trochanter toward the linea aspera. |
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An anatomical image for this section will be added when verified source media becomes available.
Section 04 of 20
Actions
No dedicated action video is currently available. This movement is explained below and video will be added when verified source media becomes available.
| Primary action | Hip flexion and adduction. |
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| Secondary actions | Slight medial rotation and pelvic stabilization. |
| Movement at the joint | Hip joint. |
| Heads / fiber groups | Single flat muscle, often with two nerve supplies. |
| Functional examples | Walking and running; climbing stairs; kicking; pulling the legs together. |
Hip flexion
Helps flex the thigh at the hip, especially from a slightly flexed position.
Hip adduction
Draws the thigh toward the midline.
Slight medial rotation
May assist a small amount of medial rotation of the thigh and stabilize the pelvis.
Section 05 of 20
Nerve Innervation
| Nerve | Femoral nerve (L2–L3) to the anterior part, often with the obturator nerve (L2–L4) to the posterior part; sometimes the accessory obturator nerve. |
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The femoral artery, vein, and nerve lie right next to the muscle in the femoral triangle. Numbness, weakness, or a pulsating sensation in the groin or front of the thigh may reflect nerve or vascular problems, not only muscle tightness.
Section 06 of 20
Blood Supply
| Blood | Medial circumflex femoral artery, obturator artery branches, and muscular branches of the femoral artery. |
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Section 07 of 20
Pictures and Visual Anatomy
An anatomical image for this section will be added when verified source media becomes available.
Section 08 of 20
Functional Movement
Pectineus works when walking, running, climbing stairs, kicking, and pulling the legs together. It also helps stabilize the pelvis when standing on one leg or changing direction.
Section 09 of 20
Synergists and Antagonists
Synergists: adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, and the upper adductor magnus (adduction), with psoas major, iliacus, and rectus femoris (hip flexion). Antagonists: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and tensor fasciae latae (abduction), and gluteus maximus and the hamstrings (hip extension).
Section 10 of 20
Palpation and Location
Client position and technique
Position the client supine with the hip slightly flexed and externally rotated and the knee supported. Locate the pubic tubercle and the tendon of adductor longus, then slide just lateral to it and below the inguinal crease to reach the muscle. Ask the client to gently draw the thigh inward against light resistance to feel it tighten.
Protect nearby structures
This is a sensitive region and the femoral triangle contains the femoral artery, vein, nerve, and lymph nodes. Obtain explicit consent, drape securely, stay lateral to the adductor tendons, and never press on a pulse. Avoid the area if there is a lump, swelling, or pulsation, and stop if the client reports tingling, numbness, or sharp pain.
Section 11 of 20
Massage Therapy Relevance
Pectineus is often involved in groin and inner thigh pain in runners, dancers, and athletes who kick or change direction. Because groin pain has many causes, careful screening is essential.
Section 12 of 20
Dysfunction: What Happens When Movement Goes Wrong
Changes in how a muscle works can change how a joint moves. The points below describe possibilities that may be associated with altered muscle function; they are not diagnoses, and one muscle is never assumed to be the sole cause of a problem.
When the muscle is weak
Weakness may reduce hip flexion and adduction strength and may be associated with more work by the other adductors and the hip flexors.
When it is tight or shortened
Tightness may be associated with limited hip abduction and extension and with an ache in the upper inner thigh.
When it is overused
Sprinting, kicking, and repeated direction changes may overload the muscle and may contribute to groin pain.
When it is strained
A strain may cause groin pain with resisted adduction or hip flexion; hernia and hip joint problems can look similar.
When it is inhibited or others compensate
Reduced activation may be associated with less pelvic control and more work by the adductors and iliopsoas.
When it does not coordinate well with synergists and antagonists
Poor coordination with the adductors, iliopsoas, and abdominals may alter pelvic control and may be associated with groin symptoms.
Section 13 of 20
Conditions, Pathologies, and Pain Relationships
Groin strain
Sprinting, kicking, and sudden direction changes can strain the muscle and cause groin or upper inner thigh pain.
Adductor-related groin pain
Pain from overloaded hip flexors and adductors often overlaps, and pectineus may be one contributor.
Osteitis pubis
Pain at the pubic symphysis may overlap with the muscle origin.
Differential considerations
Femoral or inguinal hernia, hip joint problems, femoral nerve or obturator nerve entrapment, lymph node swelling, and pelvic or lumbar causes can all cause groin pain.
Section 14 of 20
Example Clinical Relationship
A soccer player reports groin pain in the upper inner thigh when kicking and sprinting. The hip flexors and adductors, including pectineus, may be involved, and the pattern may be associated with a groin strain, but hernia, hip joint, and pubic bone problems can look similar. Gentle, consented work on the inner thigh may support comfort, while a groin bulge, fever, or severe pain after trauma needs referral.
Section 15 of 20
Massage and Treatment Approaches
For healthy, non-acute tissue, use secure draping and clear consent. Begin with light effleurage on the upper inner thigh below the inguinal crease, then use slow, gentle kneading of the adductors and hip flexors, keeping pressure comfortable and lateral to the adductor tendons.
| Positioning | Supine with the hip slightly abducted and externally rotated, supported by a bolster. |
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| Regional work | Consider adductor longus, brevis, and magnus, gracilis, psoas, and the rectus femoris when assessment supports it. |
| Avoid | Deep pressure in the femoral triangle, over any pulse, lump, or swelling, or at an acute injury. |
Section 16 of 20
Precautions and Contraindications
Precautions and contraindications
- Acute strain, hematoma, recent groin or hip surgery, or suspected fracture.
- Do not massage over a suspected hernia, lump, or swollen lymph nodes.
- Use caution with varicose veins, anticoagulant use, or easy bruising.
- Always obtain explicit consent and use secure draping for groin-area work.
Section 17 of 20
Red Flags and When to Refer
Red flags and referral
- A groin bulge, especially if painful, hard, or not reducible.
- Unilateral leg swelling, warmth, or calf pain, or sudden shortness of breath.
- Groin pain with fever, night pain, or unexplained weight loss.
- Severe pain after trauma, inability to bear weight, or new leg weakness or numbness.
Section 18 of 20
Study Summary
Attachments
Origin: pectineal line of the pubis. Insertion: pectineal line of the femur.
Actions
Hip flexion and adduction, with slight medial rotation.
Supply
Femoral nerve (L2–L3) and usually obturator nerve (L2–L4); medial circumflex femoral and obturator arteries.
Section 19 of 20
Instructor Narration
Open narration transcript
Pectineus is a short, flat muscle in the floor of the femoral triangle at the top of the inner thigh.
It arises from the pectineal line of the pubis and inserts on the pectineal line of the femur, just below the lesser trochanter.
It flexes and adducts the hip and helps rotate it slightly inward. The other adductors and the hip flexors help it, and the hip abductors and extensors oppose it.
It has a dual nerve supply, the femoral nerve and usually the obturator nerve, and the medial circumflex femoral and obturator arteries provide its blood.
Palpate with the client supine in a relaxed frog-leg position, just lateral to the adductor longus tendon and below the inguinal crease. Obtain consent, drape securely, and never press on the femoral pulse.
Groin strain, adductor pain, osteitis pubis, hernia, and hip problems can overlap. Refer a groin bulge, unilateral leg swelling, groin pain with fever or night pain, or severe pain after trauma.
Remember: pectineal line of the pubis to the pectineal line of the femur; hip flexion and adduction; femoral and obturator nerves.
Section 20 of 20